The Allegheny County Health Department has reiterated that its outdoor gathering limitations apply to high school sports, but stopped short of ruling against football being played this fall in a statement released on Thursday.
The health department currently has placed an attendance limit on outdoor gatherings of 50 people and said that number is essential in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
“That is particularly true for groups of youth who are often asymptomatic while having the virus and may not realize they are spreading,” the department’s statement read.
Obviously, high school football requires a gathering of more than 50 individuals in order to be played. But the department acknowledged the extensive protocols that have been put into place by the PIAA and WPIAL in an attempt to resume fall sports, and said it will work with those organizations.
“The Allegheny County Health Department is looking at those protocols and will work with WPIAL to ensure safe evens in the country meet COVID guidelines while also allowing sporting events to occur with appropriate measures in place.”
The PIAA board is scheduled to meet on Friday to address its recommendation for whether or not to begin the fall sports schedule as planned.
