Update: Cheerleaders cleared to attend games but CPDH limits fans to one parent

High school sports in California will look a lot different the rest of the spring.

According to updated guidelines the California Department of Public Health released Tuesday, spectators at youth and high school sports games will be limited to only one adult per player.

But cheerleaders will be allowed at games after all as CDPH reversed a decision Friday morning. On Tuesday, CDPH said cheerleaders, bands, scouts and college recruiters will not be allowed to attend games.

“Sideline cheer is considered comparable to competitive cheer as a moderate-contact sport and should follow all requirements of other outdoor moderate-contact sports,” a spokesperson for CDPH said in an email to The Mercury News. The email also said the department will update the Youth Sports Q&A issued Tuesday.

Fans will remain limited at one per student athlete, which is a guideline and not a mandate with the key word of “should” in the CDPH wording. Most schools in Sacramento and Placer counties earlier this week gave each student four tickets to give to immediate family. Most area schools also had cheerleaders socially distanced on the sideline at last week’s games.

The Bee reached out to several parents of players and also to area school athletic directors. The parents had not been notified of any update. Some said they will do what they did last week: attend the game with three other immediate family members.

Annie Giles, mother of Nevada Union quarterback/linebacker star Gabe Baker, said in an text that tonight’s NU game at Placer is allowing two parents per junior varsity and varsity player. She has not heard of a revision.

“It’s difficult, especially with step-parents, etc., but at least the boys are playing,” she said.

“Age-appropriate supervision should be limited to a single adult (or immediate family member older than the sport participant),” a Tuesday new release said. “Observers should be limited to ensure physical distance can be maintained, reduce potential crowding, and maintain indoor capacity limits. Household groups must wear face coverings and stay at least 6 feet from non-household members.”

Also in the updated guidelines, the CDPH says, “Athletes and coaches should treat their team as a cohort and should only participate on one team over the same season or period of time.”

Update on canceled games

The following games have been canceled for this week due to a COVID-19 positive result:

▪ Rosemont vs. El Dorado

▪ Laguna Creek vs. Franklin

▪ Valley vs. Highlands

▪ Winters vs. Dixon

▪ Oakmont vs. Lincoln

Additionally, a scrimmage between Grant and Elk Grove was canceled as both teams had a positive test. Laguna Creek will play at El Dorado on Saturday with a 1:45 p.m. varsity kickoff.

This story was originally published March 19, 2021 at 9:55 AM.