Guidelines issued by UIL require that spectators, fans, and media are required to wear face coverings as described in Governor Abbott's Executive Order GA-29. The order states that face coverings must be worn inside, and outside when social distancing is not possible.
According to the UIL guidelines, which will be in effect for all Giddings athletic events, groups should maintain at least six feet of distance from other groups at all times, including the process of admission and seating. A group is defined as no more than 10 people including the members of the household and those persons who traveled together to the facility. Schools should not allow seating in consecutive rows and should block off seating to maintain a minimum six feet of distance between groups.
In order to efficiently implement the UIL guidelines, Giddings ISD has instituted a cashless system at Buffalo Stadium for Friday night varsity games. The system is called School Event Tickets. Communication with the public regarding ticket sales will occur via social media and the GISD website and GISD smartphone app. Fans will be able to purchase tickets online through the School Event Tickets website, and a QR code will be provided. The QR code will be required for entry to the stadium and will be scanned at the gate. Each fan will be able to purchase up to six tickets per game.
In order to provide the opportunity for parents of participating students to attend, the URL to purchase tickets will be released to those parents each Monday at 8am. Each organization will use its platform of choice to release that information (e.g. Remind app, Google Classroom, email). The URL for the general public will be made available at 8am on Wednesdays. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold for the home side. A special section of bleachers will be placed at the southern end of the stadium for the Buffalo Band.
On Monday of each game week, a URL for the purchase of tickets will be provided to the visiting school. Only 600 tickets will be available for the visiting team. Band members of the visiting team are included in the total count of available tickets. The visiting school may make the decision to travel with or without their band.
GMS / JV FOOTBALL
For Thursday evening football games, which includes middle school, freshmen, and junior varsity, GISD will sell tickets as usual. Fans will be asked to socially distance to the extent possible throughout the stadium. Face masks are required for entrance. Tickets will be closed in the event sales reach the maximum allowed by UIL guidelines.
VOLLEYBALL - GHS & GMS
In order to limit the number of fans and allow for social distancing, the following procedures for spectators will be implemented at both the middle school and high school. The gymnasiums will be cleared between matches. Specifically, attendees of the 7th grade games will be asked to leave and allow spectators (parents and families) of 8th grade games to enter. Spectators of the 7th grade games will be allowed to re-enter if space is available.
At the high school level, spectators of the junior varsity match may be asked to exit the gyms m for spectators of the varsity match to enter. Junior varsity spectators may be allowed to re-enter if space is available.
CONCESSION STANDS
The UIL has established suggestions & guidelines for booster clubs and the handling of concession stands. All foods should be prepackaged and handling by workers will be limited. The Giddings Athletic Booster Club has agreed to provide scaled-back concession stands this year. COVID-19 protocols and face masks will be required for all workers.