If the Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Eagles play their 2020 seasons, they will do so without fans in the stands due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The city of Philadelphia announced a six-month ban on major events on Tuesday. KYW Newsradio, which broke the news, reported that the ban will remain in effect until February 8, 2021. According to the report, the ban does not affect “stadiums and performance stadiums, so some professional sports could possibly return.”
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However, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that health commissioner Thomas Farley said “protocols for major sports leagues ‘look pretty good’ but having spectators would not be safe.” So there are no fans in the stands for the Eagles and the Phillies.
“I think that games can be played with the kind of security precautions they propose. I don’t think they can have viewers in those games. There’s no way they’re going to be safe having a crowd there, ”Farley said. “I can’t say what the plans are for the league, but from a security perspective, they can play games but not [have] crowds “.
“The Eagles will still be allowed to play, albeit without crowds. The Phillies will continue to be allowed to play, albeit without crowds, ”said Managing Director Brian Abernathy.
The Phillies are currently using Citizens Bank Park for Spring Training 2.0. They are slated to open the coronavirus-shortened 60-game regular season on Friday, July 24 when they host the Miami Marlins.
The Eagles’ first home game in the regular season at Lincoln Financial Field is scheduled for Sunday, September 20 against the Los Angeles Rams.
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The announcement by the city of Philadelphia on Tuesday comes as the United States continues to see an increase in COVID-19 cases across the country. According to Johns Hopkins University, more than three million Americans have been diagnosed with the coronavirus.
As a result, New Jersey on Tuesday added four states to its list of coronavirus quarantine travel notices. The Pennsylvania community is not among the 22 states listed.
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