New Executive Order Limits Indoor Youth Sporting Event Attendance

A new executive order is limiting the number of people attending indoor sporting events.

Governor Stitt said in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Oklahoma the new executive order is limits the number of people at public gatherings. 

The latest executive order said indoor sporting events should be limited to four people per player or 50% of the building’s capacity level, whichever one is lower.

Most public schools are already limiting the number of people attending sporting event; the executive order also impacts private sport clubs. 

School districts in the area are taking COVID-19 precautions. The multiple school districts' statements are below.

Bixby Public Schools:

- Bixby Public Schools officials said attendance is based on the capacity of event space to ensure social distancing, tickets allotted on a per participant basis, and all spaces operating at less than 50% (sometimes much less) based on the above audience protocol.

Owasso Public Schools:

"Currently, all of our gyms are operating well under 50% capacity as part of our efforts to keep student-athletes, staff members and spectators safe at athletics events,: officials said. The are also taking additional safety protocols in place for their events:

• Masks are required for all spectators

• Every other row in the bleachers is marked off to promote social distancing

• Participant bench areas are spaced out to the extent possible to promote social distancing between participants and coaches

• “Home” and “visitor” fans are seated in designated areas apart from one another

Jenks Public Schools:

Jenks Public Schools officials said they "already had plans in place to limit capacity at indoor athletic events."

"Seating for basketball games, wrestling matches, and any other athletic events at JPS facilities are capped well below 50% capacity. Jenks Public Schools will continue the same mitigation strategies and safety protocols put in place at the beginning of the school year," officials said. "All students, staff members, and visitors to JPS buildings are required to wear a mask. Guidelines and expectations for visitors and spectators are clearly displayed at all events."

Tulsa Public Schools:

“Tulsa Public Schools Athletics has taken a very safe approach to indoor interscholastic sports during this pandemic. We limit attendance to basketball and wrestling events to two parents or guardians per student athlete." said Tulsa Public Schools officials. "Swimming, we have indicated zero attendance given the size of our competitive swim facility. We plan to maintain our current guidelines in the interest of the health and safety of our student athletes, coaches and patrons.”

Broken Arrow Public Schools:

Broken Arrow Public Schools officials said the district "has gone far beyond the guidelines of athletic competition attendance numbers since the pandemic began. We currently limit attendance of indoor events to 25% capacity, which is well below the recommended number. The safety and health of our players, students, coaches and patrons is our number one priority."