A quiet start to the winter sports seasons

The roar of the crowd at high school events won't be as evident for at least three weeks as a result of spectator limitations announced by Gov. Kim Reynolds.

A proclamation that went into effect on Tuesday limits how many people can attend a high school-sponsored sporting and extracurricular event at least through Thursday, Dec. 10. The action taken by the governor is intended to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

According to the proclamation, there will be a limit of no more than two spectators for each student athlete, performer or competitor participating in a sporting or extracurricular event. Spectators may only be present during the time a student or student's team participates in the event. The participants also include cheerleaders.

There also must be at least six feet of physical distance between each group of spectators, and all spectators over age 2 must wear a mask or other face covering.

Participants are not required to wear masks or social distance themselves.

The new public health measures will first be evident at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn when the girls' basketball team hosts Sioux Central on Tuesday, Nov. 24, for a JV/varsity doubleheader starting at 6:30 p.m.

The impact of the mitigation measures was discussed by the H-M-S school board on Monday. Superintendent Patrick Carlin said the district will attempt to livestream as many events as possible while the restrictions are in place, and is investigating how video of events in the new gym could be viewed by spectators in the old gym.

Officials are also investigating how the mitigation measures will impact participation by the pep band.