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Sebo Stadium closed due to congregating

SALEM – Sebo Stadium is now closed over concerns with social distancing not happening due to the higher number of students and citizens hanging out there.

Salem City Schools Superintendent Sean Kirkland said the stadium was shut down effective 6:30 a.m. Friday until further notice.

He talked about how Gov. Mike DeWine and Dr. Amy Acton, Ohio Department of Health Director, suggested residents go outside to get some air and exercise while staying at home and keeping 6 feet apart.

“A lot of folks took that suggestion to heart,” he said, noting higher numbers of people walking or running on the track and kids using the field.

In a letter to the Quaker community posted on the school’s website at salemquakers.k12.oh.us, he wrote “The unusually high traffic has caught the eye of the Health Department and they voiced their concern to Chief (J.T.) Panezott and myself. Under their suggestion and for the safety of everyone, we have to close the stadium. I’m sorry for the inconvenience this will cause many of you who truly enjoy the stadium as a place to unwind, hone your skills and exercise. Hopefully, this order will be short-lived and we can soon get back to our normal communal activities in our town.”

The police department responded to the stadium several times over complaints about people not following the rules for social distancing. In one instance, there were more than 40 citizens and students at the stadium. Panezott had issued a warning last week saying this could happen if people didn’t follow the order for social distancing.

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