OAKS, PA — A major indoor event over the weekend in Montgomery County included a lack of social distancing procedures and violated coronavirus health precautions, according to event hosts and local officials.
Tyrant Wrestling's youth tournament "Battle in the Burgh," held inside the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks in Upper Providence Township, drew a large crowd which sat tightly packed together. Indoor events and gatherings of more than 25 people are prohibited in Pennsylvania, according to restrictions put in place over the summer by the Department of Health.
The crowd, described as "massive" by NBC10, was cleared out after police and county health officials arrived. Almost 500 wrestlers had registered for the event as of a week prior to its start, Tyrant said.
A spokesperson for the Expo Center said that Tyrant Wrestling was aware of both state and CDC guidelines regarding social distancing and public health. Montgomery County health officials did not immediately return a request for comment on the event.
"Tyrant Wrestling submitted its plans for correct social distancing procedures, however, it appears they failed to execute the approved plans," the spokesperson said. "As a result we have cancelled a Tyrant Wrestling event that had been previously scheduled to be held in October at the Expo Center at Oaks."
The Battle in the Burgh was held on both Saturday and Sunday, and included both middle school and high school divisions. The event website includes an extensive COVID-19 safety plan, which requires mask use at all times, extensive cleaning protocols, and a note that "social distancing will be required when possible."
Requests for comment from Tyrant Wrestling were not immediately answered on Tuesday morning. However, the group does appear to protesting the Expo Center's decision to cancel the October event, according to an email from Tyrant Wrestling's owner which was circulated in a Facebook group, "Pennsylvania Youth Wrestling Forum."
"There has been no official communication from the facility stating they are not allowing us to host our event," Cory Frederick, the owner of Tyrant, writes. "I am currently working with the facility and the department of health as I did for the previous tournaments."
A Montgomery County health official who responded to the event told NBC Philadelphia that "there was no social distancing at all."
The health official told the network "the chairs were actually zip-tied together" and the tightly packed crowds reportedly extended to the perimeter of the building as well as its interior.
Videos taken of matches at the event show the crowd seated and standing close together around the competition mats. Some are wearing masks, others are not.
Carter Young and Team Shutt Kai are rolling at the Tyrant Wrestling Battle in the Burgh. pic.twitter.com/pZE5rrbWUr
— Trackwrestling (@trackwrestling) September 19, 2020
The Expo Center said they would continue to enforce health protocols and guidelines.
"Officials at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center are fully committed to following Pennsylvania state and CDC guidelines, as well as Montgomery County's Department Of Health regulations," the spokesperson added. "Facial coverings are required on anyone entering the Expo Center buildings, as noted on the Center's home page and on-site at entrance ways to the building."
This is a developing story. Check back for more information as it becomes available.
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