The Columbus Blue Jackets will be the first NHL team to play games without fans due to the coronavirus pandemic.Kirk Irwin/Getty Images
The Columbus Blue Jackets said Wednesday that they will comply with an upcoming executive order prohibiting mass gatherings in the State of Ohio due to the coronavirus outbreak, beginning with Thursday night’s home game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Additionally, the next three San Jose Sharks home games will be closed to the general public due to concern over the spread of the coronavirus, the ice hockey team’s venue announced on Wednesday.
The March 19 game against the Montreal Canadiens, the March 21 contest against the Boston Bruins and the March 29 game against the Arizona Coyotes will go ahead as scheduled at SAP Center.
But admission to games will be limited to home and visiting club personnel, approved credentialed media and broadcast partners, essential club and arena staff, and NHL officials, the SAP Center in San Jose said.
The move comes after California’s Santa Clara County on Monday announced a ban on gatherings of at least 1,000 people for the rest of the month after a resident in her 60s died of the virus this week.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said Wednesday that he will issue an order banning spectators from major sporting events. The order not only affects the Blue Jackets but upcoming NCAA Tournament play in Dayton and Cleveland as well as the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers.
“There is a new, big, huge risk in your life,” DeWine said at a news conference. “You never thought it was coming. I never thought it was coming. But it’s here. And you better calculate that risk.”
On Tuesday, DeWine recommended that indoor sporting events be “spectator-free, effective immediately” due to the outbreak. DeWine’s plea was for only “athletes, parents and others essential to the game” be inside the facility.
But the Blue Jackets didn’t go along with that recommendation and consulted with the NHL before announcing later Tuesday they would allow fans to attend this week’s two home games at Nationwide Arena, the second being Saturday’s contest against the Nashville Predators.
This time, Columbus announced that upcoming games will be closed to the general public. The team said admission will be “limited to home and visiting club personnel, credentialed media and broadcast partners, essential club and arena staff and NHL officials.”
The Blue Jackets have five home games remaining this season.
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are aware of Governor DeWine’s announcement today that an order prohibiting mass gatherings in the State of Ohio is forthcoming,” the team said in a statement. “We have been in contact with the National Hockey League regarding this matter and will abide by the state’s mandate,” the club said in a release.
“The health and well-being of our community is our priority and we appreciate the understanding of our fans, corporate partners and guests under these extraordinary circumstances.”
The Blue Jackets said they will work with fans on refunds for affected games.
Meanwhile, DeWine said the order is designed to minimize the dangers.
“Every expert has told us that there is a risk in any kind of mass gathering – the closer you are to other people, the bigger the risk,” DeWine said. “You must ask yourself if going to a large gathering is necessary.”