At Ramapo College, Fans Are Back In Full Force This Fall

MAHWAH, NJ — More fans will be back in the stands when the fall sports season at Ramapo College opens on Sept. 1, but there will still be visible remnants of the pandemic.

The Mahwah college released their updated spectator guidelines for fall, and masks will still play a part for both vaccinated and unvaccinated guests. The policy states that both groups will need to mask up for indoor events. Masks aren't required at outdoor events, but unvaccinated guests are required to practice social distancing.

All guests must follow the campus self-screening affirmation, which states that guests shouldn't attend an event "if they or anyone they have been in close contact with has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 14 days," or "if they have been directed to self-isolate or self-quarantine by a medical professional or local public health official."

Social distancing protocols will be implemented for all guests at indoor events, unless seated with family, the college said.

Non-compliant guests face punishment from the college.

Officials said those folks will be asked to leave the indoor or outdoor facilities, and will "forfeit their right to attend athletic events on the Mahwah campus for the remainder of the 2021-2022 season."

Still, the policy doesn't include a limit on spectators, a change from the 2021 spring season, which only allowed student-athletes to bring two spectators each at any event.

Under that policy, all spectators were required to wear masks, and be seated only with other members of their party while remaining 6-feet apart.

That policy also added extra steps for the athletes, who were required to submit their spectator list at least 24 hours prior to the start of the event. Any spectator that wasn't on the list couldn't attend.

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