Attendance restrictions eased for indoor, outdoor events
Those wondering if they would ever get to witness a sporting event in person again can now rest easy.
Gov. Roy Cooper eased restrictions statewide on building capacities Feb. 24 as COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts ramp up, hospitalizations are at their lowest point since Thanksgiving and only 6 percent of those tested for the virus are returning positive.
The news came just one day before the start of the 2020-21 football season and after indoor sports like volleyball and basketball were restricted to 25 fans, no matter the facility’s capacity. Following the relaxation, Robbinsville opted to sell 250 tickets for Saturday’s third-round playoff game between the Lady Knights and Murphy. Tickets went on sale around 10 a.m. Friday and were sold out by noon.
Robbinsville’s season opener at Big Oaks Stadium against Rosman on Feb. 25 was restricted to 100 fans. The limit will be increased to around 800 spectators, beginning with homecoming Friday, March 12, against Erwin.
“Most of us that don’t have a lot of seats on the visitor’s side can offer 150 (to visiting fans),” Robbinsville athletic director Dee Walsh said. “For this next game, we’ll make sure we take care of the homecoming court and their families, plus our students and then we’ll have a section for the community. We’ll also have some allotted for players, cheerleaders and band members.”
Walsh later added that any un-purchased tickets by those affiliated with the team or school will be sold to the community.
Under the governor’s new directive, bars and movie theaters can also open at 30 percent capacity and serve customers until 11 p.m. Gyms, museums, restaurants, amusement parks and other retail businesses can operate at 50 percent capacity. A 10 p.m., statewide curfew was also eliminated.