March 4, 2021
PED: Spectators now allowed at school sporting events
Capacity allowance varies with color of county
SANTA FE — Effective immediately, spectators will be permitted at all school-related sports to the extent allowed by the current Public Health Order under the limits applicable to large entertainment venues, New Mexico Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart announced today.
This means that schools may allow spectators as follows:
Turquoise Counties:
- ● Up to 75% capacity of an outdoor spectator area
- ● Up to 33% capacity of an indoor spectator area
Green Counties:
- ● Up to 50% capacity of an outdoor spectator area
- ● Up to 25% capacity of an indoor spectator area
Yellow Counties:
● up to 25% capacity for an outdoor spectator area
In every case, the host team’s county color governs the spectator capacity.
“It makes sense to align student athletics with what’s now permissible in the current Public Health Order,” Stewart said. “We understand the importance of sports in the lives of our students, families and communities. We encourage participation in sports by students as a
healthy outlet and by parents as supportive spectators. At our core we want to keep athletes and families safe.”
“We are so excited about the opportunity to have spectators at some school sporting events,” said Sally Marquez, executive director of the New Mexico Activities Association. “We have been working hard with the Governor’s Office, the Public Education Department and the Department of Health to find a way to safely allow fans at the games. We all have something to cheer about.”
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