Wolf Changes Guidance, Spectators Now Allowed At Sports Games

PENNSYLVANIA — Gov. Wolf's administration has eased their guidance on spectators at fall high school sports competitions, saying Wednesday that fans are now allowed to attend games in person.

The guidance still calls for a limit of 250 individuals all told for outdoor events, and 25 for indoor events. Up until Wednesday, that limit applied to players, coaches, and officials, and no spectators were allowed.

"Spectators may attend sporting events, but count towards the statewide large gathering limitations and must follow the Universal Face Covering Order and social distancing guidance when arriving, attending, and departing the event," the new guidance reads.

The update comes two weeks after the PIAA's Board of Directors voted 25-5 in favor of a sports season this fall. Wolf and the Department of Health had strongly recommended all sports be postponed until Jan. 2021.

More than 55,000 had signed a Change.org petition urging the state to allow spectators.

"Child athletes NEED to have parents and fans at their events-their self esteem soars when they know someone who knows and loves them is in the audience watching them do what they love," Shannon Fry, who started the petition, wrote.

>>PIAA Goes Against Wolf, Votes Yes On 2020 Fall HS Sports Season

Legislation passed the state house on Wednesday which would allow local school districts to make their own decisions on whether to allow spectators. House Bill 2787 passed with a 155-47 vote. The state senate met to consider the legislation at 1:15 p.m. Thursday.

The updated guidance from the Department of Health calls for bleachers and all seating areas to be clearly marked for social distancing. Masks are required if not six feet apart from other fans, and fans should not enter the field of play area. The guidance also continues to recommend that spectators be limited if possible.

"Non-essential visitors, spectators, and volunteers should be limited when possible, including activities with external groups or organizations. Parents should refrain from attending practices, or volunteering to assist with coaching."

In an update issued on Tuesday, before the recent shift from the governor's office, the PIAA made specific mention of the 25-person limit for indoor events making certain sports impossible, spectators or not.

"The PIAA will continue to advocate to the Governor’s office the limits to the indoor event capacity is not favorable for girls’ volleyball and water polo," they said. "PIAA also believes spectators should be permitted to attend following safety guidelines."

The PIAA's decision to go forward with a fall season has meant that the final decision is left up to individual districts. Some have canceled all sports already. Others are allowing certain, lower risk sports to go forward. In Montgomery County, their official guidance to local high schools offers support for most sports, but not high contact sports like football, basketball, water polo, and wrestling.