COVID-19 will impact high school sports and activities, games to be broadcast on Redrock 92 Radio and PictureItPalmer.com

Utah high school gyms and event venues are going to be significantly less crowded in the 2020-21 winter season due to COVID-19 as just a handful of spectators will be allowed to attend events.

As a result of the attendance restrictions, fans may be upset that they will not be able to support their relatives and friends.

But you needn’t be upset. Redrock 92.7 FM and PictureItPalmer.com will broadcast a large number of girls and boys basketball games this season for both Monticello and San Juan high schools, and possibly some wrestling duals as well.

The broadcasts begin this week when the Monticello and San Juan boys teams head to Richfield Friday and Saturday for the Central Utah Basketball Preview. Check page B6 of this paper for a schedule of the games.

Activity schedules are changing daily. Stay tuned to both 92.7 FM and the San Juan Record for updates throughout the season.

In a “Return-to-Play Plan” recently released by the Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA), the Association limits spectators to parents of participants and home team support groups (such as bands and cheerleaders) when the county in which the event takes place is designated “High Risk” according to the Utah Health Guidance Level COVID-19 Transmission Index.

It is possible that the restrictions will change throughout the winter activities season. If a county moves to the Moderate Risk category, activity venues will be permitted to fill to 25 percent of capacity with no defined student sections.

Under the Low Risk Level of Transmission, venue capacity will be determined by the host school or district, and student sections will be permitted where social distancing is possible.

Currently, all but three Utah counties are in the High Level of Transmission category, with only Rich, Daggett, and Piute counties listed in the Low Risk category.

In addition to spectator restrictions, the UHSAA provided guidelines to school districts, teams, and coaches in its Return-to-Play Plan.

The guidelines require all teams to undergo symptom checking before practices, team activities, games, and even travel to an event. Records will be maintained to help with contact tracing efforts and risk mitigation monitoring.

Masks will be required for all individuals at event facilities who are not engaging in strenuous physical exertion. And schools will be required to set up playing facilities to maximize social distancing, including non-active players on benches.

Coaches will be required to wear masks while coaching during practices and at games. They are encouraged to have players work out in groups of five or less and to separate varsity and junior varsity programs.

All event participants including coaches, players, and officials are encouraged to regularly sanitize their hands during events.

In addition to all these restrictions, the UHSAA will only sanction one-day wrestling tournaments and will limit the amount of athletes who are allowed to participate.

Monticello High School will present Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the Monticello High School auditorium beginning at 7:30 p.m. on December 10, 11, and 12.  

Spectator numbers will be limited to 25 percent of capacity of either auditorium, so it will be best to secure a ticket before the event. Call the school at 435-587-2465.

San Juan Record

49 South Main St
PO Box 879
Monticello, UT 84535

Phone: 435.587.2277
Fax: 435.587.3377
news@sjrnews.com
Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday