SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State Athletics has announced safety measures that Bobcat fans will need to adhere to in order to combat the impact of COVID-19 when attending home men's and women's basketball games this season at Strahan Arena at the University Event Center (UEC).
 
SYMPTOM SCREENING BEFORE ATTENDING A BOBCAT BASKETBALL GAMES
Before entering Strahan Arena for a basketball game, we ask that spectators perform a self-assessment based on CDC best practices and recommendations and stay home if sick. People who are at higher risk for complications from COVID-19 are strongly encouraged not to attend live events. Symptoms to watch for include:

• Fever (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste of smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

 
FACE COVERING
All fans attending games are required to wear face coverings that completely cover the nose and mouth at all times while inside the arena. Guests will receive a warning that are seen without a mask on. Failure to comply following the warning will lead to removal from the venue.
 
Per CDC guidelines, face coverings should not be worn by children under the age of two (2) or anyone who has trouble breathing, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove face coverings without assistance.
 
TICKETING
Attendance for games at Strahan Arena will be limited to 25 percent capacity for a total of 2,000 spectators.
Contactless ticketing is available to all spectators through our digital ticketing platforms. Click the digital ticketing information to view all of our opportunities.
 
Due to COVID-19, we have made an effort to create a socially distant atmosphere inside Strahan Arena. Every ticket will now be a reserved seat. Anyone who purchases a season ticket will have the same reserved seat for the entire season. Season ticket holder seats will range from section 101-104 and 114-117.
 
Texas State students will attend basketball games by scanning their student IDs at the front of the UEC. Once they scan their IDs, they will be handed a hard ticket with a reserved seat location that will be socially distanced from other guests at the arena.
 
Limited tickets will be available on gameday and we recommend that guests purchase tickets in advance (while available) to skip the line.  Ticket lines will be socially distanced outside of the UEC tickets office, as well as the entrance.  Social distancing markers are going to be spaced out on the ground leading up to the UEC entrance and doors will open one hour prior to tipoff. Hand sanitizer will be made available at the entrance and throughout the facility.
 
CONCESSIONS
At Texas State dining, health and safety are of paramount importance. We have implemented a comprehensive university plan – Our Roadmap to ensure we effectively reduce the spread of COVID-19. Below are a few of the precautions that Texas State Dining is currently putting into effect in concessions operations.
 
FOCUS ON GUEST SAFETY
Texas State is installing physical distancing signage and floor decals to direct guests on where to stand to maintain six feet distance from others around them. Stanchions will direct line queuing where applicable. Texas State is increasing the frequency of cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting at frequent high touch points. There are Sneeze Guards at the points of sale to protect our associates and our guests. Hand sanitizer is also available for use after each sale. All vendors and supplies are required to wear a mask in and around our facilities. Individual condiment packets and pre-packaged plastic ware are available.
 
CHANGES ON MENU
Only bottled beverages will be available for purchase to increase the speed of service.
Food items are limited to high-demand, fan-favorite items for speed of service.
 
RESTROOM SAFETY MEASURES
All restrooms within The University Events Center are assigned a sanitizing technician that is responsible for maintaining cleanliness and paying extra attention to the high touch surfaces in each restroom. Social distancing is promoted and when applicable, restrooms will have designated entries and exits.

CLEANING AND DISINFECTING
Keeping The University Events Center clean and high touch surfaces disinfected is a top priority for the 2020-21 season. Texas State will follow CDC guidelines and deploy an amplified cleaning team focused on making sure the facility is clean and safe for everyone.  Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the stadium for patrons to utilize as desired. 
 
STAFF REQUIREMENTS
All game day personnel are required to follow strict guidelines to protect the health of Bobcat patrons and staff once they enter The UEC.  Each staff member is subject to a pre-screening health questionnaire and temperature check. While within the facility, all game day staff will be required to wear facial coverings, and frequently wash or sanitize their hands when they are not wearing gloves.
 
CASTRO CLUB CHANGES
The Bobcat Club will continue to operate their in-game hospitality event in the Richard A. Castro Club. This year in lieu of physical passes, all active Bobcat Club donors at the Gold ($1,250+) and above levels will receive an email with their digital passes attached.
This year, the Castro Club will open earlier to help accommodate as many of our Bobcat Club donors as possible throughout the game. Starting 30 minutes prior to tipoff complimentary food and drinks will be served. The complimentary meal will continue to be served until the halfway mark of the first half for men's basketball games and until the end of the first quarter for women's basketball games. In place of a meal, during the remainder of the game, individually packaged snacks will be provided for Castro Club Members to enjoy.
The complimentary wine and beer bar will continue to be available for our donors in the Castro Club during the game. For bar and food service, we ask that our donors adhere to the following rules:

• Face coverings must be worn, and social distancing practiced while waiting in line and ordering at the bar/food station
• No eating at the bar or in line
• No self-service is allowed to ensure everyone remains healthy and safe

All donors will be required to wear face coverings in the Castro Club unless at a table or seat eating their meal. We will have full-time custodial employees disinfecting high traffic areas hourly to provide a sanitary environment.
 
The first home basketball game this season will be a men's basketball contest on Nov. 25 vs. the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor at 6 p.m.