More changes are in store for high school sports events. According the Governor of Tennessee, bands, dance teams and cheerleaders won’t be able to be at upcoming games.
WGNS’ Ron Jordan has the latest (hear the soundbyte on WGNSradio.com)…
Again, at this time cheerleaders, dance teams and bands will not be allowed at high sporting events.
As an example of what restrictions are in place, the Smyrna Bowling Center is home to the 2021 TSSAA Bowling Championships that are going on this week. While families may want to attend to watch their child compete, they are not allowed to. Only participating bowlers and coaches are allowed in the Smyrna Bowling Center and those students are restricted to only being in the center during their specific portion of the tournament.
RECAP: Governor Bill Lee is issuing a new executive order restricting who may attend high school sporting events in the state. Governor Lee issued executive order 74 Tuesday, extending restrictions. The Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association says large-scale attendance by fans and students must be changed. Bands, cheerleaders, and dance teams won't be able to attend games.
TSSAA Inquired About the Change:
"TSSAA inquired about allowing Cheerleaders and Dance Teams to participate, but the amended Order maintains the temporary suspension of cheerleading and dance at contests. Our understanding from the Governor’s Office is that this provision was a risk-based decision at this critical time based on the best medical and CDC information and guidance available regarding the spread of COVID-19 primarily through respiratory droplets, with cheerleading posing a particularly high degree of risk because it involves projected voices within a confined indoor space for an extended period of time."
More Details on Executive Order 74:
1. Tennesseans should work from home where possible. Given the current spread of COVID-19 throughout the State and the resulting strain on health care resources, persons are encouraged where appropriate to work remotely or via telework from home, where possible and advisable, and all employers and businesses are strongly urged to take steps to the greatest extent practicable to equip, encourage, allow, or require employees to work remotely or via telework from home where appropriate.
2. Places of worship, weddings, and funerals. Places of worship are strongly encouraged to continue to utilize virtual or online services and gatherings and strongly encouraged to follow the Guidance for Gathering Together in Houses of Worship issued by the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives regarding in-person services that can be conducted safely. Likewise, persons at weddings and funerals are strongly encouraged to follow the Health Guidelines and maintain appropriate social distancing to the greatest extent practicable, although it is further strongly encouraged that any large public celebration component of weddings and funerals be postponed or attended only by close family members.
3. Spectator sports and athletic activities. Local education agencies and schools shall, notwithstanding any orders or provisions to the contrary, have the authority to permit, but are not required to permit, school sponsored sporting events and activities, provided that all such activities, including practices and games or competition, must be conducted in a manner consistent with COVID-19-related guidance and rules adopted by the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association. Non-school-sponsored athletics, including practices, games, and competition, must be conducted in a manner consistent with guidance from either the Tennessee Economic Recovery Group (i.e., Tennessee Pledge) or Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association.
With respect to school-sponsored and other youth athletics, schools, organizers, and facilities shall not permit spectators to attend practices, games, or competition; provided, that game, school, and facility administrators, teachers, athletics officials, coaching and team personnel, parents, grandparents, guardians, or other immediate household members of athletes practicing or competing at the venue on that date, media and athletic scouting personnel attending the event in their professional capacity, and first responders may be present within the facility, but must to the greatest extent practicable comply with applicable health protocols, including maintaining at least six (6) feet of separation from persons outside their household. Schools, facilities, organizers, and governing bodies may further limit physical capacity as deemed necessary to protect public health.
Collegiate and professional sporting events and activities are subject to the rules, protocols, or guidelines of their respective institutions and governing bodies.
4. Suspension of laws that would limit application of this Order. Any law, order, rule, or regulation that would otherwise limit the enforceability of this Order is hereby suspended, pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 58-2-107.
5. Severability. If any provision of this Order or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this Order which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to that end the provisions of this Order are declared to be severable.
6. Term and effective date. This Order shall be effective and enforceable as of 11 :59 p.m., Central Standard Time, on January 19, 2021, and shall remain in effect until 11 :59 p.m., Central Standard Time, on February 27, 2021.
