Does the clear cover on the back of the series 8 watch get removed. There does not seem to be any way to get it off

There is no clear cover to remove on the underside of an Apple Watch. So don't try to take anything off the back of your watch or you'll damage it.

That said, I am very curious to see what you see that you wonder if it should be removed. Please post a photo of the back side of your watch.

if you mean the glass part with the sensors then it's not something users can remove, and if they did it would be raw electronics against the skin

They are NOT under the glass cover. They have NEVER been under a glass cover.

Here, watch this video --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fru0ZRvb-co

If what you want to do is remove the band. You press in the little button on the backside of the watch on one side and keep it pressed in as you slide the band out of the track. Then you do the same thing on the other side. You need to press with some force to push the pin in enough for the band to slide out. Use your finger nail and you'll feel the button press in.

The clear glass has nothing to do with the strap, the strap should slide out.

So then you've figured out what you needed to do, correct?

You're welcome. Glad to help. I change the band on my watch almost every day, so I'm well versed on removing them!