BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (NewsNation) — Face masks and social distancing are among the requirements for college sports fans planning to attend Southeastern Conference football games during the 2020 season. And tailgating may be off the table for some schools.
The SEC released its guidelines Tuesday for fan safety at games during the 2020 football season as schools try to navigate holding games during the coronavirus pandemic.
Fans who attend games will be required to wear masks as they enter and exit the stadium, according to the guidelines. They will also be required to wear masks whenever they move throughout the stadium or can’t maintain distance from others.
Stadium workers and athletics staff will be required to wear masks at all times.
The number of fans allowed to attend games will be left to each member school and will be required to fit within state and local health guidelines. The SEC consists of 14 member schools throughout the southeast part of the United States.
The SEC’s guidelines also require plexiglass to be installed between fans and stadium staff at concession stands and merchandise stores.. There will be no condiment carts and fans will not be able to fill or refill their own drinks. Water fountains also will be prohibited.
Tailgating and team walks are also not guaranteed. The SEC’s guidelines say that each school determine whether large gatherings on school property are permitted within state and local guidelines. If there aren’t local guidelines in place, CDC recommendations will be used.
Both guest shuttles to and from the stadium must be regularly disinfected and also have enough room for social distancing, according to the guidelines. The stadiums also must have a documented plans that outlines the protocol for disinfection of the stadium.
The Big Ten, Mid-American Conference and Pac-12 have decided to postpone their fall football seasons.
For the full 2020 SEC football season schedule click here.