For the first time in months, high school sports has its second piece of welcome news in as many days.
On Wednesday, APS confirmed that it will be returning to athletics now that its small-group, in-person learning model is approved by the state.
Thursday’s development? Effective immediately – but with conditions – fans can attend athletic events, the Public Education Department and New Mexico Activities Association announced.
Spectators will be permitted, but there are limits “applicable to large entertainment venues” as they relate to the state’s current public health order.
The healthier the county, the more fans can watch. Here are the parameters as announced by the PED and NMAA:
• For state counties in the turquoise level, masked and socially distanced fans can fill up to 75 percent of an outdoor spectator area, and up to 33 percent indoors.
• For counties in the green, the numbers are 50%/25%.
• For counties in yellow, it is 25% for outdoor spectator venues only.
Counties in red can’t yet have fans.
In every case, the PED said, it is the host team’s county color which dictates how many fans can attend.
“It makes sense to align student athletics with what’s now permissible in the current Public Health Order,” PED Secretary Ryan Stewart said. “We understand the importance of sports in the lives of our students, families and communities.”
High school cross country meets were held around the state last Saturday, the first official prep events since the end of the state basketball tournament on March 14.
Volleyball followed suit this week. Football is due to begin on Friday night with nine games around the state. Soccer will begin this weekend.
Prior to Thursday, fans had been prohibited by the PED.
“We are so excited about the opportunity to have spectators at some school sporting events,” said NMAA executive director Sally Marquez.
