The East Greenbush Central School District has adopted New York State’s new guidance on athletic events to allow up to 500 spectators at outdoor athletic events as long as social distancing is maintained. Spectators will also be permitted to remove face masks once they are seated and socially distanced from others.
These new policies take effect immediately and replace the old policy of limiting two spectators for each student athlete. Parents and community members will no longer need to wear their Section II Spectator Badges to outdoor athletic events at Columbia.
Updated Outdoor Spectator Policy:
- Limit capacity to 500 spectators at outdoor events.
- Game chaperones will count and monitor spectator capacity limits during games/events.
- Seating will be socially distanced and restricted to family cohorts.
- While seated and properly distanced, spectators can remove their mask, but if out of their seat and moving around or in a position where social distancing can’t be achieved a mask must be worn.
- At the conclusion of all games/contests, we ask spectators not to wait for athletes on the field/stadium area. Please return to vehicles in the parking lot and wait for the student athletes there.
- Spectators should arrive no more than 30 minutes prior to the start of the game.
The state is also increasing capacity for indoor athletic events to 250 spectators starting May 19. Until that date, spectators will be limited to two people for each student athlete and they must wear a Section II Spectator Badge.
It is important to note individual school districts are permitted to be more restrictive than the new guidance. Parents and community members are encouraged to check with the host school for their spectator policy. For example, Albany High School will continue to use the two spectator per student athlete policy for outdoor events. Any spectators attending athletic contests at Albany must have a Section II Spectator Badge.