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Diane Stamm | Johnson Publications
While the state has moved to allowing fans to attend games at 100% capacity in gyms, CCS for the time being is staying at the 50% level as recommended by the NSAA. That hasn’t been a problem in the Longhorn gym where 532 people can be seated and still meet the 50% level.

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Diane Stamm | Johnson Publications

Gov. Ricketts moves state to least restrictive green phase

CCS will stay at 50% capacity in gyms unless NSAA makes change

    Effective last Saturday, Gov. Pete Ricketts moved Nebraska to the least restrictive phase in Nebraska’s ongoing battle with COVID-19.
    Ricketts announced the move from the blue to green phase at a Friday press conference.
    That moves everything the state had put restrictions on to 100% capacity for gatherings, with no restrictions for bars, restaurants, churches, hair salons and barbers, gyms and elective surgeries.
    However, with no new updates from the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) since Ricketts’ announcement, Chase County Schools Activities Director Troy Hauxwell said the school will stay at 50% capacity in its gyms.
    “We follow what the NSAA has set, and as of today (Tuesday) there’s nothing new telling me differently,” he said.
    Hauxwell said in a previous interview that as a member of NSAA, Chase County Schools follows the NSAA recommendations, which haven’t always followed what the state is doing.
    That has caused some miscommunication at times, Hauxwell said.
    He said CCS has had no issues with a 50% cap, and hasn’t turned anyone away at home basketball games.
    A 50% maximum in the Longhorn gym is 532 people and it is 212 in the auxiliary gym where JV games are held. CCS has been well under that maximum, he said.
    Since attendance was moved to 50% from family only, he said between 300-350 fans have attended games in the Longhorn gym.
    Even with January games against Dundy County-Stratton and Perkins County, two neighboring towns, CCS wasn’t close to its 532 maximum in the Longhorn gym, he noted.
    The state’s major change in moving from blue to green affected the Directed Health Measure (DHM) on indoor gatherings, including youth extracurriculars, moving them from 75% to 100%.
    However, organizers of gatherings of 500 or more people (1,000 or more in Douglas County), must still submit a reopening plan to their local health department—and receive approval—before holding their events.  
    For this area, that means approval of 500+ gatherings must come from the SW Nebraska Public Health Department.
    Aside from this large gathering requirement, there are no  other restrictions on gatherings/venues in the green phase of the state’s plan, Ricketts said.
Quarantine changes
    Nebraskans who’ve been fully vaccinated (received both doses of the coronavirus vaccine) do not have to quarantine after a close contact, another update in the new DHM.
    Instead, they will be in the “self-monitor” category, which involves wearing a mask for 14 days from the date of exposure and monitoring for symptoms.
    Nebraskans who have recovered from COVID-19 in the past three months do not need to quarantine after a close contact, though they are encouraged to monitor for symptoms.  
     The new DHMs also amend the definition of “close contact” to clarify that exposures start 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms or positive test.
    Gov. Ricketts himself is currently following the latest quarantine guidelines.
    His office announced Monday that Ricketts came into close contact with someone on Saturday who tested positive for coronavirus.  
    “The exposure was work-related. The Governor will complete the required seven-day quarantine,” said Taylor Gage, Director of Strategic Communications.
     The Governor is not showing any symptoms, Gage said, and will get tested at the appropriate time.  
    The Governor will host this Friday’s regular coronavirus briefing virtually.

 

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