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Fall High School Sports Update
Northwest Local School District will proceed with having fall high school sports including games, scrimmages and competitions. Effective August 19, 2020 at 6:00 pm the Governor of Ohio released the latest health order regarding contact sport/non-contact sport competitions. NWLSD’s health and safety plan surrounding sports has been approved by the Hamilton County Public Health, which will allow NWLSD to host competitions and scrimmages on campus with spectators. 
 
NWLSD will proceed with caution, as our staff and student’s safety are our top priority. As state guidelines change, we will make adjustments. Per the Governor’s recent order, spectators will be very limited, with priority given to immediate family members of each athlete and coach. The restriction for stadium and gymnasium capacities will be 15% of total fixed seating. Ticket allotments will be given to each player. Allotments will be dependent upon venue size and location; so allotments will vary based on the sporting event. 
 
Northwest and Colerain High School events that are scheduled for August 21 and August 22nd will be closed to the public. Tickets will be available for immediate family members only. A predetermined allotment of tickets will be given to each athlete. NWHS and CHS Coaches will work with athletes around ticket sales for games that are taking place on August 21 and August 22. Tickets for these games cannot be purchased at the gate. NWLSD plans to move towards electronic ticket sales for future athletic events. Please be mindful that we will not be selling any tickets to the general public due to the restrictions laid out in the latest health order.
 
Please read the guidelines that we have put in place for guests and visitors who attend our fall sporting events. Please note, all guidelines are subject to change based on State and Hamilton County Public Health's guidance : 
 
Limitation for Spectators, Tickets sales, Seating Capacity
  • Ticket sales will be prioritized for immediately family members of players, coaches, and staff only. (This includes cheerleaders and marching band for football)
  • Spectators will be allowed to sit in groups of no more than 2-4 people depending on the sport 
  • The stadium will be limited to 15% capacity of fixed seating, which includes the south side (“Home”) bleachers, and the north side (“Visitor”) bleachers
  • Tickets will either be purchased in advance, with no point of sale on the day/night of the event, or we will have limited tickets available at the gate with cash exchange based on the type of event and size of crowd we are expecting. Plans regarding ticket sales are subject to change based on future health and safety guidance from the Hamilton County Public Health. 
 
In order to keep our families safe we will require families to adhere to our face mask and social distancing policies.  
 
Signage, Markings, and Areas of Separation 
  • There will be signage for social distancing requirements and use of face covering requirements placed at all points of entry into the facility 
  • There will be entry/exit signage placed all at points of entry
  • There will be permanent or portable aluminum gates, fencing, or rails that will divide walkways for proper entry, exit, and other foot traffic reasons
  • There will be markings (“arrows”) on the driveways, pathways, etc showing which direction spectators, coaches, or staff should walk
  • There will be markings (“dots”) in stadium bleachers for spectator seating
 
Spectator Requirements
  • Spectators will conduct self-symptom checks and anyone displaying symptoms will not be allowed to enter the facility
  • Family and household members will sit together socially distanced on pre-marked stadium seats from other individuals/family household groups.
  • Six feet distancing will be maintained through pre-marked designations on the stadium seats.
  • Spectators will not be permitted to congregate before, during, or after contests (i.e tailgating).  
  • Spectators must wear face coverings at all times and must be seated.
 
Limitation for Spectators, Tickets sales, Seating Capacity
  • Ticket sales will be prioritized for immediately family members of players, coaches, and coaching staff only. (This includes cheerleaders and marching band for football)
  • Spectators will be allowed to sit in groups of no more than 4 people
  • The stadium will be limited to 15% capacity of fixed seating, which includes the south side (“Home”) bleachers, and the north side (“Visitor”) bleachers
  • Tickets will either be purchased in advance, with no point of sale on the day/night of the event, or we will have limited tickets available at the gate with cash exchange based on the type of event and size of crowd we are expecting. Plans regarding ticket sales are subject to change based on future health and safety guidance from the Hamilton County Public Health 
 
Use of Press Box
  • The use of the press box for competitions will be strictly limited to the following:
    • TV production companies
    • PA announcers and spotters
    • Coaching staff
    • Scoreboard and play clock operators
    • Staticians 
    • Local media
    • NO hospitality groups will be permitted
    • NO community/buffet style food will be provided
 
Use of Concession Stands
  • Concession stand will adhere to all guidelines set forth by Hamilton County and the “Dine Safe Ohio” Ohio Department of Health protocols, which will include the following COVID related accommodations:
    • Volunteers will be required to wear face covering and gloves at all times
    • Only prepackaged food will be served, including candy, chips, bottled drinks, and individually wrapped food
    • Sanitizer will be available for volunteers and spectators purchasing concessions
    • Disinfectant will be used regularly throughout the event to clean countertops
    • No community style condiment pumps will be used, only packaged condiments
    • Plastic shields will be installed to separate the volunteers and spectators
    • Spectators are not allowed to consume food from the concession stand while in line or congregating. All food must be consumed while seated.
    • All spectators in line at concession stands shall maintain 6ft of social distancing. 
 
Inclement Weather
  • In the event of inclement weather, spectators will be asked to return to their vehicles, while remaining socially distance
  • The home team will report the main gymnasium and remain socially distant
  • The visiting team will report to the Career Center gymnasium (CHS) or the Butler Tech Sports Medicine room (NWHS) and remain socially distant
 
Symptomatic, Suspected or confirmed cases:
  • Anyone in attendance, whether player, coach, volunteer, staff member, or spectator, showing COVID related symptoms will be immediately asked to leave from the facility. 
  • Any player, coach, volunteer, staff member, or spectator, who knowingly is COVID positive, will not be allowed on campus for any reason
  • For confirmed cases, we will continue to follow guidelines set forth by the ODH, CDC, and Hamilton County.