TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy announced that a limited number of people will be allowed in person to watch indoor and outdoor school athletics.
He announced this on February 12. The Executive Order went into effect immediately.
Districts can choose to allow up to two parents/guardians per participating athlete under the age of 21, according to a statement he put up on social media. This also includes practices.
The attendance still cannot exceed 35% of the room’s capacity or 150 people. This doesn’t mean 150 parents, it means 150 people in the area – including coaches, referees, players, parents, etc. Other public health guidelines, such as social distancing and the wearing of masks, must be adhered to.
One key point is that the school districts have the choice to open it up to the public. Each district can be more restrictive than the state if the local officials deem it appropriate.
Interstate competitions at high schools are still prohibited.
This change comes as many school officials have been arguing for lessening restrictions. The Central Regional School District, located in Berkeley, sent a letter last month imploring the governor to allow limited attendance at games.
“Our gym has a capacity of 2,500 people and can easily host 150 spectators and maintain all safety and (Center for Disease Control) requirements which will provide a safe, sanitized and comfortable environment. Air purifiers would run during all games and our UV machines will be used before and after each event,” Superintendent Triantafillos Parlapanides said.
“This would be a much safer and more sanitized environment than all the Wal-marts, Targets, and other big box stores in New Jersey combined. I saw firsthand my students’ faces when the spring season was canceled last year and don’t want to see that pain on their faces again,” he said. “For their sake please allow parents to watch their children participate in sports, drama, band and all school functions since we can do it safely.”
Central’s Athletic Director, John Scran, has made use of the NFHS Network in recent months that livestreams the games. The Board of Education agreed to let the district pay for the service so people at home could watch the games for free. The games are shown at nfhsnetwork.com.
