Yahoo Lifestyle High school football game stopped until fans put on masks and socially distance in stands
If you want to watch a high school football game at American Fork High School in 2020, you better follow the rules. The school’s athletic director, Jeremy Lewis, stopped a game Thursday until fans put on masks and following social-distancing guidelines.
The moment was captured on video, which shows fans sitting close together while in the stands. Some of the fans are not wearing masks.
American Fork High School AD Jeremy Lewis stopped his school's football game due to fans not following mask and social distancing requirements.
He would not allow play to resume until fans followed the guidelines. pic.twitter.com/RCq3Jt8nRM— Stadium (@Stadium) August 21, 2020
The video shows Lewis addressing the crowd and telling them the game will not resume until fans wear masks and following social-distancing protocols. You can see some fans/students leaving the stands around the 1:20 mark. Students reportedly had their own section in which they were assigned to sit.
Fans apparently did enough to satisfy protocols, because the game resumed. American Fork won the contest 31-21.
Masks strongly encouraged by UHSAA
American Fork High School — which is located in Utah — was following recommendations from the Utah High School Activities Association. The UHSAA strongly encouraged masks and social distancing at games, according to USA Today.
Social distancing and masks were strongly encouraged by administrators, the Utah High School Activities Association and local school districts. When it comes to testing for the virus itself, local school districts and the UHSAA say they can't require an athlete to get tested.
Utah is among the first states to play high school football games amid the coronavirus pandemic. Other states have pushed back or canceled the 2020 high school football season.
High schools are taking different approaches with protocols
While American Fork stressed safety, other schools haven’t enforced masks or social-distancing guidelines. A high school game between County High and Paul Bryant High in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Thursday featured fans packed tightly in the stands without masks.
These photos were taken last night at a Tuscaloosa County football game. There appeared to be little concern for masks or social distancing guidelines.
(Photos: Gary Cosby / Tuscaloosa News)https://t.co/Ge6K6ZvY5c pic.twitter.com/UqEs6FzPJJ— ABC 33/40 News (@abc3340) August 21, 2020
The Alabama High School Athletics Association recommends players practice social distancing, though the rule modifications do not mention best practices for fans.
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