Marion County increases number of fans allowed at high school football games

There are a couple of notable changes to the Marion County public health order that was first discussed on Tuesday by county health director Virginia Caine. 

Caine said Tuesday that 250 fans total would be allowed in the stands, which differed from Gov. Eric Holcomb’s order of 250 fans per set of bleachers. On Friday morning, the order regarding spectators at athletic events read:

>> A total of 250 people are permitted at indoor venues;

>> 1,000 people or 25% venue capacity, whichever is less, are permitted at outdoor venues;

>> All spectators must be socially distanced;

>> Unlike the Governor’s order, this is not a per bleacher section total for sports being played in such venues.

The maximum of 1,000 fans — or 25% — is notable as it will allow schools to get more fans through the gates for football games, traditionally the most attended high school sport of the fall.

Another notable addition to the order is that schools must submit weekly reports to the Marion County health department on “the number of absences and COVID-19 positive tests for athletes, training staff, and coaches, broken down by sport.”

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.