NFL Requiring Fans To Wear Face Covering At Games During 2020 Season
Jul 22, 2020, 12:14 PM | Updated: 12:18 pm
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft waves to passing cars at the "Soup-R Bowl" at Gillette Stadium on May 08, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Patriots Foundation and Massachusetts Military Support Foundation worked in partnership to provide meals to 1000 military families suffering from food insecurity. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The NFL will require all fans to wear face coverings while in attendance at 2020 games amid the coronavirus pandemic.
NFL vice president of communications Brian McCarthy confirmed the “league-wide” mandate in a social media post on Wednesday, July 22.
“For those wondering, yes, it is league-wide: fans at NFL games this season will be required to wear face coverings,” tweeted McCarthy.
For those wondering, yes, it is league-wide: fans at NFL games this season will be required to wear face coverings pic.twitter.com/D139KGKQ4r
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) July 22, 2020
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Recently, the league and the players’ union agreed to several health protocols, including team travel, media, and treatment response.
They also updated the facilities protocol, specifically addressing training camp, using recommendations from a committee of doctors, trainers, and strength coaches.
The NFL also partnered with Oakley to create a helmet with an integrated face shield to help control the spread of the coronavirus.
Fans at NFL games this season now will be required to wear face coverings, per @nflPRguy.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 22, 2020
NFL teams limiting capacity and requiring face masks
While finals plans for every NFL regarding stadium capacity and other fan-related details are still to be determined. Some NFL teams have already announced reduced capacity for 2020 games.
The Jacksonville Jaguars said are planning to play home games in front of a significantly reduced capacity this fall. Fans in attendance at Jaguars games will be required to wear face coverings.
The Baltimore Ravens announced that season tickets that were purchased for the 2020 season will be deferred to the 2021 campaign. The Ravens will decrease capacity to 14,000 if fans are allowed to attend games in 2020. Their stadium capacity is 71,008 seats.
Start of NFL season
Rookie players began to report to their teams on July 20 and 21.
On July 21, the NFLPA reportedly told players that zero preseason games will be played prior to the start of the regular season.
The 2020 NFL season is currently scheduled to kick-off when the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs host the Houston Texans on Thursday, September 10.
