With the beginning of the fall contact sports seasons in Putnam County, the area schools and the TSSAA want to remind fans of new procedures that will be implemented during sporting events. These procedures will be in effect at all Putnam County Schools’ contact sports venues and other locations where Putnam County Schools events are played.
Per TSSAA Return to Play Protocol as of August 10:
Temperature checks for all players, coaches, personnel prior to every practice.
No coach, player, or team personnel may participate in practice or a contest without first completing appropriate COVID-19 screening.
No scrimmages, jamborees, 7-on-7 practice, or other types of practice with other teams are permitted.
At contests, all coaches, players, team personnel, officials, administrators, and fans must have their temperatures checked before entering the facility.
At each contest, a symptom checklist shall be posted prominently at the spectator entrance(s).
At contests in localities where fan attendance is permitted, member schools are encouraged to limit fan attendance to a number that will allow adequate social distancing (e.g., 1/4 to 1/3 of typical seating capacity, depending on the characteristics of the particular venue) and should mark/designate bleachers or seats to promote social distancing among spectators.
Member schools will require that all fans wear facial coverings at all times while onsite (except children under age 2) and maintain social distancing (six feet, or the equivalent of two empty seats between themselves and other fans) from anyone other than those living in the same household.
The temperature check and questionnaire requirements of Items 1 and 2 above, as well as the social distancing requirement of Item 7, shall also apply to members of a school band or pep band, cheerleaders, or other similar student groups attending a contest in a supporting role.
If a public address system is in use for a contest, the host school will make public service announcements at various times during the contest to remind those in attendance to use masks and maintain physical distancing.
The host school is responsible for providing staff to engage in frequent cleaning and sanitizing of restroom facilities during contests.
Concession stands are discouraged because they tend to invite gatherings of people in close quarters. If a member school chooses to operate a concession stand at a contest, signage or other appropriate markings must be in place to encourage customers to maintain physical distancing while standing in line.
All coaches must complete the free NFHS online course “COVID-19 for Coaches and Administrators”.
Each contact sports venue will have unique attendance procedures and limitations as social distancing mandates allow. Tickets for football games will mainly be pre-sold to help with attendance and social distancing concerns. Priority will be given to families of players, coaches, and others directly involved with the contest. All of these measures are an attempt to support a comeback for high school contact sports since the shutdown in March due to Covid-19. Fans are encouraged to support their teams and these guidelines in order to help maintain a safe environment for all attending the event. Those admitted into the games are required to be screened via a temperature check, wear a face covering while in attendance, and observe social distancing guidelines.
The Cookeville High School football team will play Upperman High School on August 20 at Tennessee Tech University at 7pm cst. The Monterey High School football games versus Sale Creek on August 21 and Lookout Valley on August 28 have been canceled. Area middle schools will also begin action this week.