By Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Spring sports have finally gotten underway at high schools in Montgomery County and the city of Radford with the news that gates will be open to larger numbers of fans.
Danny Knott, the director of human resources for Montgomery County’s public schools, said track and field sports stadiums will allow as many as 500 people. “With social distancing, our other outdoor venues can accommodate all the fans that will attend,” he said.
Robert Graham, superintendent of schools in Radford, said his school system is using the same numbers.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced last week that starting May 15, sports and entertainment venues in Virginia may operate with expanded capacity. He cited the increase in vaccinated Virginians as the reason for easing the current restrictions.
Outdoor sporting events will increase from 500 to 1,000 people or 50 percent of capacity, whichever is less.
Knott said he does not expect crowds at any of the county’s spring sporting events to reach that maximum.
Baseball, softball, soccer, tennis, track and lacrosse will all move forward with some continued COVID mitigation guidelines in place.
All spectators will be required to wear a mask covering their mouth and nose, and social distancing from non-family members remains in effect.
