As the globe continues to grapple with the fast-spreading coronavirus (COVID-19), professional sports leagues have begun to spring into action with precautionary measures. On Wednesday the World Health Organization declared the crisis to be a pandemic.
Earlier this week MLB, MLS, NBA and NHL issued a joint statement that outlined why clubhouse and locker room access would be limited to players and essential staff members.
“After consultation with infectious disease and public health experts, and given the issues that can be associated with close contact in pre- and post-game settings, all team locker rooms and clubhouses will be open only to players and essential employees of teams and team facilities until further notice,” it read.
“Media access will be maintained in designated locations outside of the locker room and clubhouse setting. These temporary changes will be effective beginning with [Tuesday’s] games and practices. We will continue to closely monitor this situation and take any further steps necessary to maintain a safe and welcoming environment.”
Now some teams are mindful of the possibility to play their home games in other areas, according to Andy Martino of SportsNet New York:
Several MLB teams are currently aware that they might have to at least move home games to start the season, per sources. Not just Seattle.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) March 11, 2020
San Francisco Mayor London Breed banned all large gatherings (minimum 1,000 people), including for Golden State Warriors games, for at least the next two weeks in effort to curb coronavirus spreading.
The S.F. Giants subsequently announced they will not play a March 24 exhibition game at Oracle Park against the Oakland Athletics.
Washington Governor Jay Inslee restricted gatherings of more than 250 people in King County, where the Seattle Mariners play their home games. In a statement, the Mariners said they are consulting with MLB to develop alternative plans for games that were scheduled at T-Mobile Park.
The Los Angeles Dodgers recently had team primary care physician Dr. John Plosay address the clubhouse at Camelback Ranch to better inform players on coronavirus and taking preventative action.
“The health and safety of everyone in our communities is of the utmost importance to us,” MLB said in a statement after holding a conference call with all 30 teams.
“We have been engaging on an ongoing basis with a wide range of public health experts, infectious disease specialists, and governmental agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to obtain the latest information.
“We are regularly conveying the guidance from these experts to Clubs, players, and staff regarding prevention, good hygiene practices and the latest recommendations related to travel. We are continuing to monitor developments and will adjust as necessary.
“While MLB recognizes the fluidity of this rapidly evolving situation, our current intention is to play Spring Training and regular season games as scheduled.”
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