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By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

The Georgia High School Association has issued an extensive set of guidelines and recommendations for football teams to follow when the season gets underway on Sept. 4.

In the document released on Monday, the GHSA offered guidelines relating to all game-day operations.

As far as spectators at the games, the GHSA is leaving it up to local school systems to decide how many people can attend games, and in Troup County stadium capacity will be 40 percent.

The document states that “it is highly recommended” that those attending the games have their temperatures checked, and that anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher should be denied entry.

It is also “highly recommended” that spectators wear masks or face coverings, and that fans in the stands should “practice social distancing whenever possible.”

As far as the players themselves, “it is highly recommended that face mask/cloth coverings should be worn by student-athletes while on the sidelines/benches and not actively engaged in competition.”

The GHSA is also recommending that anyone else on the sidelines, from coaches, other game day personnel, and media members, should wear masks.

The GHSA is also offering guidance on how to keep things sanitary on the sidelines and on the benches.

For instance, “all benches should be wiped down using proper CDC-approved cleaning agents before and after competition,” and that “towels should be placed immediately in an open bin container to avoid cross contamination.”

Also, the GHSA stated that “sideline personnel should be limited to participating athletes, coaches, medical staff and gameday staff.”

The GHSA also offered guidelines for the operation of concession areas.

All concession workers are encouraged to wear masks, and they should be screened before going on duty, and people in line should social distance.

The GHSA has decided that the season can begin on Sept. 4, and LaGrange and Troup are both scheduled to play that night.

OF NOTE: To read the full document, go to ghsa.net