School Graduation Ceremonies

Updated May 18, 2021

Outdoor ceremonies

The total number of persons present at an outdoor graduation ceremony must not exceed the outdoor venue’s maximum occupancy. If an outdoor venue does not have a formal certificate of occupancy, 40 square feet per person must be used to calculate the occupancy limit.

Schools planning outdoor graduations should put careful thought and planning into a back-up plan in case of inclement weather. Back-up venues must meet all the requirements outlined in this guidance.

Indoor Ceremonies

The total number of persons present at an indoor graduation ceremony is limited to 250 people. A school that plans an indoor graduation ceremony must obtain a Letter of Approval for their plan showing how it would meet the general requirements of the regulation.

Requirements for all graduation ceremonies

Persons/groups of guests not of the same household must maintain a minimum of 6 feet of social distance at all times, including during any graduation procession.
All persons present follow face covering guidance.
All persons present must be included in the attendance totals. This includes students, faculty, staff, workers, vendors, guests, and speakers.
Any person with a fever or who is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, must not attend a graduation ceremony.
A record of all individuals who attended the graduation must be maintained for at least 30 days to assist with contact tracing. Information collected must include name, date, phone number and email (if available). This information must be provided within 24 hours if requested by MCDHHS if a case of COVID-19 associated with the graduation occurs. Seating charts must also be provided if used.
The school must post signs
- at all entrances stating that
  - nobody with a fever or symptoms of COVID-19 is permitted to enter the venue
  - individuals must wear a mask or face covering
- throughout the venue, reinforcing
  - social distancing,
  - face covering usage, and
  - hand hygiene policies
- At areas of entry and egress to allow the one-way flow of attendees.
- On floors and sidewalks both inside and outside the venue to provide physical guides to ensure individuals remain at least 6 feet apart in queuing areas.
- Marking seating arrangements to delineate physically distanced seating.
Must prohibit congregating or gathering in common areas both inside and outside of the venue before or after the graduation ceremony.
Prohibit group or staged photography.

Ceremony requirements

Ceremonies must not exceed 2 hours, but the venue may be open for an hour in advance and after the ceremony to prevent crowding at points of ingress and egress.
No more than 10 persons must be. permitted on the stage at any given time. Persons on the stage must be spaced at least 6 feet apart.
Only single performers/speakers must be allowed (e.g., no choirs or bands) during the ceremony.
A minimum of 12 feet must be maintained from the audience if performers/speakers are masked.
A minimum of 18 feet must be maintained from the audience if performers/speakers are unmasked.
Use of shared objects during the graduation should be minimized (e.g. microphones).
Diplomas must be distributed with no handshake or physical contact.
No food or beverage service is permitted during ceremonies (including concession stands).
If permitted by the venue, guests may bring their own beverages/snacks which may only be consumed while seated.
All guests must be seated and remain in their seats throughout the ceremony.
Any items handed out to guests must be single use or cleaned and disinfected between each guest use (e.g., assisted audio devices).

Communication and Response

Schools must develop a comprehensive plan to communicate measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 with all attendees of the graduation. The plan must:

Identify and address potential language, cultural, and disability barriers in the communication plan.
Communicate COVID-19 policies to staff (including vendors), guests and students, (e.g., on school/graduation website, social media sites, prominent signage at entrances and throughout the venue, message screens and public announcements before and during the graduation).
If an attendee becomes sick while at the graduation ceremony, the school must have a protocol in place for that individual to immediately leave the venue. If they are unable to immediately leave (e.g., they need to wait for a ride), there should be a process that allows them to isolate until they are able to leave. People who are sick should go home or to a healthcare facility, depending on the severity of their symptoms. Public transportation should not be used.
Must identify a point of contact that staff or an attendee can notify if they test positive for COVID-19 within the 2 weeks from the date of the graduation and choose to disclose this information.
In the event of a positive test result, the COVID-19 Point of Contact must notify the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (240-777-1755) within one business day of the notice and provide them with the name and contact information of the positive case.
Put systems in place to encourage self-reporting.

Recommendations

Although not required, the following are strongly recommended:

Hold multiple smaller graduation ceremonies as necessary, so that all graduating students can be accommodated while minimizing crowd sizes.
Hold a virtual graduation or provide a virtual option for persons who either do not wish to or are unable to attend.
Use pre-assigned/reserved seating.
Discourage attendance by persons traveling from outside of Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.