Here is who can attend high school sports until Jan. 19
The TSSAA responded to Gov. Bill Lee's Executive Order No. 70 on Monday, clarifying for member schools who can attend high school sports events.
The executive order is in place until Jan. 19. It was put in place because of the large increase of positive COVID-19 cases in the state. Schools may put additional restrictions in place, including canceling their games.
Bands, pep bands, cheerleaders and dance teams are not allowed to attend games while the restrictions are in place.
Here is who is permitted: h Players' parents or guardians and immediate household members h First responders h Coaching and team personnel h School, game and facility administrators h Athletics officials h Media and athletic scouting personnel attending the event in their professional capacity.
Social distancing between people from different households is required. While Lee hasn't mandated masks, the TSSAA regulations regarding the use of masks does remain.
TSSAA executive director Bernard Childress reiterated that these are minimum restrictions. Schools, facility managers or school systems may require stricter rules on who can attend.
The governor's office conferred with TSSAA about these restrictions.
Childress said these restrictions represent the best means to continue playing high school sports while trying to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“We remain hopeful that we will soon begin to see a decline in the instances of infection and that our schools will soon be able to return to more normal operation of their athletic competition,” Childress said.
Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager.