HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

UHSAA Moves To Allow Student Sections At Winter Sporting Events

Jan 22, 2021, 3:50 PM

Springville Red Devils - 5A State Champs...

Springville players acknowledge the parents section after defeating Timpview in the 5A boys state basketball championship in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. Springville won 66-53. (Courtesy of Deseret News)

(Courtesy of Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah High School Activities Association moved to allow “defined student sections with masks required and physical distancing for athletic events effective immediately.”

The decision by the UHSAA Board of Trustees was announced in a memo sent to schools on January 21.

“This decision is based on a mandate of masks for all spectators and a strong emphasis made on physical distancing of students in a defined area,” the UHSAA said in the memo. “The Board also moved for member schools to enforce correct mask-wearing requirements as the primary way for teams to avoid quarantine. Teams are strongly encouraged to conduct all practice activities in masks as a way to avoid quarantine per the COVID-19 School Manual. These rules will also be in effect for the UHSAA postseason events.”

UHSAA outlined that the following restrictions will remain for counties in High-to-Moderate Transmission levels of the coronavirus:

  • Up to four tickets per participant
  • not to exceed 25% of venue capacity

“In Utah we feel fortunate to have the opportunity to play winter sports. In the spirit of cooperation and consistency, we appreciate everyone doing their part in allowing our student-athletes to finish their winter sports season,” the memo continued. “Information on individual state tournaments will be released over the coming weeks.”

Coronavirus in Utah

On Friday, January 21, the state of Utah announced 24 more individuals had died due to COVID-19. An additional 2,649 Utahns tested positive for the virus, and the rolling seven-day average for positive tests was at 19%.

In the state, there are currently 448 people hospitalized with COVID-19.

Utah also surpassed 200,000 vaccines administered.

Coronavirus Resources

How Do I Prevent It?

The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:

  • Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
  • Avoid touching your face
  • Stay home when you are sick
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

How To Get Help

If you’re worried you may have COVID-19, you can contact the Utah Coronavirus Information Line at 1-800-456-7707 to speak to trained healthcare professionals. You can also use telehealth services through your healthcare providers.

Additional Resources

If you see evidence of PRICE GOUGING, the Utah Attorney General’s Office wants you to report it. Common items in question include toilet paper, water, hand sanitizer, certain household cleaners, and even cold medicine and baby formula. Authorities are asking anyone who sees price gouging to report it to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection at 801-530-6601 or 800-721-7233. The division can also be reached by email at consumerprotection@utah.gov.

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UHSAA Moves To Allow Student Sections At Winter Sporting Events