More spectators will be allowed to attend high school sports events under an order by Gov. Roy Cooper that went into effect Feb. 26. The new guidelines allow an attendance of up to 30 percent of fire capacity at outdoor sports venues. For Forbush and Starmount High Schools, that will allow between 1,000 and 1,100 spectators at football games.
“This will help our schools,” said Yadkin County Schools Superintendent Todd Martin. “If, for some reason, we are expecting a crowd that is larger, we will probably look at selling tickets in advance but we still have to work those details out.”
The head counts do not include players, coaches, game officials or medical and emergency personnel who are onsite for games. Previously, spectators were limited to 100 or fewer at high school sports events regardless of the venue’s capacity. The order also revises limits for spectators at indoor sports venues.
“I have no doubt our school athletic departments and leadership will do a good job getting things ready for the first big crowds we’ve seen in over a year,” Martin said.