Schools to prohibit fans from winter sports events

Teams can start playing but must follow protocols.

The DeKalb County School District has lifted the delay of its winter-seasons ports: basketball, cheerleading, wrestling and swimming.

Superintendent Cheryl Watson- Harris said teams may begin with scheduled competitions starting this week, but the district will continue to prohibit fans in the stands because coronavirus infections are still high in the community.

“The District will continue to review data daily regarding the spread of COVID- 19, and if concerns created by corona virus place student- athletes and coaches at an unacceptable level of risk, teams will be notified, and athletic competitions may be suspended,” the release said.

DeKalb participants must continue to utilize all COVID- 19 mitigation strategies, which include but are not limited to daily temperature checks, always wearing a face mask when not inactive play, hand sanitizing at each water break, sanitizing shared equipment, and social distancing.

“While we acknowledge the social, physical, and emotional benefits t hat athletics provides, we will always make decisions to protect the health, safety and welfare of our student-athletes, coaches, their families, and the community,” the release said.

Clayton County Schools on Wednesday also announced they will continue to ban fans in the stands during winter sports games.

Dekalb participants must continue to utilize all COVID- 19 mitigation strategies.