In just a few short days the Florida Gators will open the gates at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and allow fans into the stadium.
It’s something Florida has done hundreds of times in its history but never like this. With a pandemic and virus sweeping through the country, measures have been taken to provide the safest experience possible. The University Athletic Association began its planning in March when the pandemic first started to affect the country and games and leagues began to cancel and shut down.
The fact that the Southeastern Conference is starting later than other leagues and the NFL helped Florida prepare for their season. Members of the UAA, including Athletic Director Scott Stricklin and Executive Associate Athletics Director for Internal Affairs Chip Howard, attended games at Florida State and NFL games in Jacksonville and Miami. They were able to see the practices and procedures in place at different stadiums to help build their own plan in Gainesville.
For starters, Florida is allowing just 16,956 people to attend games in order to allow for proper social distancing while in the stands. There is no tailgating allowed on campus either. It’s going to be a different environment on Gale Lemerand boulevard, but Florida is doing it’s best to find a safe way to have fans come to games and still provide an experience you can’t get at home on the couch.
Protocols entering the stadium
• ALL TICKETS DIGITALLY SCANNED AT ENTRY
• Ticket scan staff instructed not to touch a fan’s phone or ticket
• ALL FANS WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK • Masks should cover nose and mouth. One-way valve masks are not allowed.
• Masks will be made available (if necessary, to ensure appropriate use)
• QUEUING LINES WILL HAVE PHYSICAL DISTANCE MARKINGS
• FANS ENCOURAGED TO ENTER THROUGH
• SPECIFIC ENTRY GATE CLUSTERS
• BASED ON SEAT LOCATION (via email and app):
• West Gates: 1,2,3,4
• North Gates: 7, 8
• East Gates: 12, 15
• South Gates: 16, 18
• 12 TOTAL FAN ENTRY GATES: • 10 stadium entry gates used
• Skybox lobby
Concourse management
• SIGNAGE POSTED THROUGHOUT TO ENCOURAGE
PHYSICAL DISTANCING; HEALTH & SAFETY
• GUIDELINES ON CONCOURSE FLOOR IN SPECIFIC
LOCATIONS TO MARK OUT PHYSICAL DISTANCE SPACING
• STAFFING SPREAD OUT IN EACH CONCOURSE TO MONITOR
AND ENCOURAGE PHYSICAL DISTANCING
• HAND SANITIZING STATIONS THROUGHOUT STADIUM
• TRADITIONAL WATER FOUNTAINS IN USE WITH FREQUENT
DISINFECTION BY DISINFECTANT TEAM. AUTOMATIC
BOTTLE FILLING STATIONS IN USE.
Cleaning and disinfecting initiatives
• DISINFECTING CREW
• Consistently wiping down hard surfaces in assigned areas
• NATIONAL BRAND JANITORIAL CONTRACTOR
• Jani-King
• Use of electrostatic disinfectant sprayers
• FOLLOWING EACH GAME ALL CONCOURSES AND RESTROOMS
WILL BE DISINFECTED
• RESTROOMS:
• Fully cleaned then disinfected within 48 hours of game time
• Doors of completed restrooms locked behind to preserve disinfection
Attendants actively disinfecting high-traffic touch points throughout event
Concessions
• 6 FT. PHYSICAL DISTANCE QUEUE
LINE FLOOR MARKINGS
• REDUCTION IN POINTS OF SALE
• Physical distance spacing for customers
• INDIVIDUALLY PACKAGED MENU
ITEMS
• NO CONDIMENT STATIONS USED
• All pre-packaged
• EXPANDED EXPRESS ORDERING &
PICK-UP LOCATIONS WITH GATORS
APP
• Reduces contact from guest and
staff
• FOOD SERVICE STAFF IN MASKS AND
FACE SHIELDS
Employee & Vendor Guidelines
• MASKS REQUIRED FOR ALL STAFF AND VENDORS
• ALL STAFF AND VENDORS WILL:
• Adhere to local, state, university, and CDC guidelines
• Be instructed to stay home if they feel sick
• Receive training regarding COVID-19 and health-related precautions
• Be instructed to limit fan contact
• Be instructed to frequently wash hands with soap and water or hand
sanitizer
• Answer health screening questions prior to check-in for work
• STAGGERED EMPLOYEE CHECK-IN TIMES AND LOCATIONS
• OPEN-AIR BRIEFING LOCATIONS ESTABLISHED FOR APPLICABLE
GROUPS