ST. PAUL – State Rep. Dean Urdahl, R-Acton Township, called for the Minnesota State High School League to reconsider its prohibition on spectators for events in public schools this fall and the league responded favorably.
The MSHSL announced Thursday two spectators per participant now will be allowed to attend events in public school facilities Participants include athletes, performers, competitors, student workers and coaches/advisors. Social distancing guidelines – including a 6-foot separation among spectators – apply.
Urdahl is among House Republicans who urged the MSHSL to revisit its attendance guidelines. He said they were arbitrary and inconsistent with state policies regarding indoor gatherings amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Urdahl said he spoke directly with MSHSL Executive Director Erich Martens about the issue.
“I simply urged Mr. Martens and the MSHSL to make their policies for indoor competitions consistent with state guidelines for other indoor gatherings,” Urdahl said. “I also urged the MSHSL to do more to involve local school boards and parents in these decisions and, while it’s unclear to what degree that happened in this case, I continue to hope it will be part of our operating procedure as we progress into future stages of safely re-opening our state.”
-30-