Waterloo Schools Revise Spectator Guidelines
More fans can attend athletic events at East and West High Schools in Waterloo, but the crowd size will continue to be limited for the foreseeable future.
District officials this week announced revised spectator guidelines for basketball games, wrestling meets and other sporting events hosted by the Trojans and Wahawks. According to a press release, each participating student-athlete, cheerleader and coach will now receive four wristbands/vouchers for events held at their home school. Visiting teams are still limited to two wristbands per player and coach.
All spectators must have a school-issued wristband in order to purchase a ticket and enter the game. Passes will be honored, but the individual still must have a wristband to enter the game, district officials said.
Under the revised guidelines, visiting fans attending events at Fred J. Miller Gymnasium (East) and Robert S. Siddens Gymnasium (West) will sit in the upper balcony bleachers behind the team bench. Home fans will sit in the lower bleachers, but will be directed to the upper section to maintain social distancing if the lower area reaches capacity.
All spectators must wear masks at all times inside each gym, except while eating or drinking.
District administrators will continue to monitor crowd sizes and make as necessary, the press release said. Spectator guidelines for bowling, swimming and other activities may have different restrictions based on the venues.
On Thursday, Gov. Kim Reynolds modified her public health emergency proclamation designed to reduce the spread of COVID-19. With the update, she lifted the restriction that only people who lived in a participant's household could attend extracurricular activities or recreational gatherings. School districts and athletic conference across the state can continue with the tighter fan restrictions, if they choose to.
In Waterloo, games and meets that take place in the main gyms at East and West will continue to be livestreamed at no cost to the viewer.