Live Sports Could Be Postponed For 8 Weeks After CDC Recommendation

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also known as the CDC recommended that large gatherings of over 50 people to be prohibited for 8 weeks.

This would mean that all live sporting events would be canceled through May 10.

The CDC is making the recommendation in order to limit the spread of coronavirus also known as COVID-19.

Last week, the NCAA canceled their men’s and women’s basketball tournaments and all spring sports. The NBA, NHL and MLS decided to suspend their season until further notice. Major League Baseball has postponed spring training and will delay the start of their season for two weeks. The Masters golf tournament has been postponed as well due to the spread of COVID-19.

The CDC has published interim guidance recommending that in-person events consisting of 50 people or more in the US be canceled or postponed for the next 8 weeks. https://t.co/v0wqO5Y1av

— CNN (@CNN) March 16, 2020

The NBA regular season runs midway through April with the postseason running from then to the first two weeks of June. Major League Soccer has their season from the end of February to November. MLB was scheduled to open their season at the end of March and go through October.

According to ESPN NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the league is looking at arena dates through August in hopes to play their postseason when play is resumed.

CDC recommendation of no events of 50-plus people for next two months comes as a number of NBA owners and executives increasingly believe a best case scenario is a mid-to-late June return to play — with no fans. League's scouting for possible arena dates all the way thru August.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 15, 2020

Coronavirus Resources

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How Do I Prevent It?

The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:

• Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
• Avoid touching your face
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

The CDC does not recommend wearing a facemask respirator to protect yourself from coronavirus unless a healthcare professional recommends it.