As seasonal sports like basketball and soccer begin to ramp up, the Dallas ISD Athletics Department is outlining its spectator guidelines for winter sports, while Dallas County risk levels for COVID-19 remain high.
Safety is the guiding principle behind these new measures to help prevent possible transmission among student-athletes, coaching staff, and the greater community. Various spectator levels will limit seating capacities for basketball, soccer, and swimming/diving based on if the county’s current risk level at a given time.
Basketball and swimming fans will be limited to only two tickets per uniformed player or coach, and no tickets will be sold, while under a red risk level. Cheerleaders will not be present, and the Athletics staff will not accept passes. During this time, only coaches whose teams are playing and administrators on duty, with a Dallas ISD identification (ID) badge, will be given access. If space is available, media is permitted with a proper Dallas ISD media pass that must be confirmed by the Director of Athletics. However, the orange risk zone, cheerleaders and their sponsors may be present, along with two guests each at facilities where space is available.
During a yellow level, basketball and swimming events will be limited to 15-percent capacity where half seating is split between the home and visiting teams. Tickets will only be sold online. Cheerleaders are also allowed in facilities large enough to accommodate seating for this group, as they may not cheer on the court. Still, only coaches whose teams are playing and administrators on duty with a district ID are permitted. If space is available media crews are allowed in but must obtain a Dallas ISD media pass with confirmation from Athletics personnel.
Soccer events are limited to 15-percent capacity when the county is either in the red or yellow risk levels. Similar to basketball and swimming, half of the seats are reserved for the home team and the other half for visitors. Soccer tickets will only be sold online, and cheerleaders can cheer at all games. With soccer events, media is allowed but crews are still required to have a Dallas ISD issued media pass.
While the University Interscholastic League (UIL) has not determined specific protocols for wrestling events, the district will release more details once those are more defined.
If daily positives continue an upward trend, fans or media may not be allowed to sporting events. If that occurs only coaches, student-athletes, officials, event workers and game administrators will be allowed.
Fans are encouraged to support their student-athlete by viewing games online, when possible, as most games can be accessed via live-streaming through the NFHS Network.
To access schedules for all Dallas ISD sports, visit www.dallasisd.org/athletics.
