The Chicago Cubs, like many other MLB teams, have hoped to be able to find a way to have limited assist capacity sometime this year.
Although the State of Illinois allows up to 20% capacity at sporting events at this time, the City of Chicago was not prepared to allow the Cubs to do so last month when the Mayor was asked to do so. The pandemic situation has only worsened nationally since then, and in Illinois, diagnosed cases have also increased (albeit with a largely flat positive test rate).
So who knows where this will go:
Current City of Cubs, MLB with security protocols for up to 7,000 fans at Wrigley stands
(Via Sun-Times) https://t.co/w0lncNELu7
– Fran Spielman (@fspielman) July 23, 2020
Cubs Business President Crane Kenney told the Sun-Times that he doesn’t expect anything to happen on this front until the middle of the season (late August), but the team has been developing all kinds of protocols to allow for proper distancing. when entering, leaving and during games. The goal, according to Kenney, is not just to get a small amount of revenue back this year and let fans want the opportunity, but also to plan for the possibility that this will be necessary next year.
Read the Sun-Times article for more information.
As for whether this really happens or is a good idea, I will primarily refer to the medical experts that the Cubs have worked with and the City will lean on. With distance, masks, little capacity and being outdoors? Those tend to be the types of activities that have the least risk of spreading outside of your home. But there are still a lot of people in an installation.
