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Gov. Justice Reverses School Commission’s Decision Re: Bands

By: Associated Press
Posted on: Tuesday, August 25, 2020

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice says marching bands will be allowed to perform at public school football games this fall amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Gov. Jim Justice wears a mask during a virtual news conference in which he announced a statewide order that mandates face coverings in buildings outside of a person's home on Monday, July 6, 2020. — Gov. Jim Justice wears a mask during a virtual news conference in which he announced a statewide order that mandates face coverings in buildings outside of a person’s home on Monday, July 6, 2020. [WVPB]

The governor’s decision Tuesday reverses a ruling made a day earlier by the Secondary School Activities Commission. Justice says the SSAC’s decision was made without his input.

The plan will require band members to maintain social distances while performing in stadiums on game days. Their families will be allowed to watch their performances. The reversal comes as eight more deaths were reported from the virus Tuesday. The number of deaths statewide has increased 61% this month.