Fans a go for some stadiums in California
Santa Clara County health officials say no to latest guidelines
The state of California opened the door for the San Francisco 49ers to welcome fans back into the stands at Levi’s Stadium, but the Santa Clara County Public Health Department quickly shut it.
The state released new coronavirus guidance on Tuesday that allowed theme parks to open with modifications and for professional sports teams to begin selling tickets to host fans at games effective immediately. Counties that have reached Tier 3 (moderate/orange) including Santa Clara County and Tier 4 (minimal/yellow) — which San Francisco moved into on Tuesday — are now permitted to have a reduced capacity at outdoor stadiums, but local health officials aren’t willing to give their approval.
“Audiences at professional sporting events will not be allowed anytime soon in Santa Clara County, and theme parks will not resume operation,” the county said in a statement. “We must all continue to prioritize reducing the spread of COVID-19, creating conditions that
will allow our businesses, schools, and other community organizations to operate safely.”
The 49ers play home games in Santa Clara County, which is currently in the orange tier. Under state guidance, counties in the orange tier are allowed to have their stands filled at 20%, so the team could conceivably host nearly 14,000 fans inside Levi’s Stadium, which has a maximum capacity of 68,500.
The county’s statement restricting teams from hosting fans came fewer than 90 minutes after the 49ers released a statement Tuesday
praising Gov. Gavin Newsom following the announcement of new guidelines. The 49ers said they expected to work with local health officials from the county to create a plan that “protects the health and wellness of all San Francisco 49ers and Levi’s Stadium employees, patrons and our community.”
“We appreciate Governor Newsom’s leadership and thoughtful approach in creating a framework that allows for a return of fans to Levi’s Stadium, and restart the economic activity of the region,” the statement said. “We welcome our fans and their support of local businesses and vendors that are critical to our local economy, especially during these difficult times.”
The 49ers are scheduled to play in New England on Sunday and on the road in Seattle on November 1, meaning the soonest they could host fans under state guidelines at Levi’s Stadium is on Thursday, November 5 when the Green Bay Packers visit Santa Clara.
Barring a sudden change in local guidance, however, the stands at Levi’s Stadium may remain empty.
“As we see COVID-19 rates rising in states across the U.S., and as we enter the winter months when risk will increase, we cannot take chances with the health and wellbeing of our community and forfeit the many sacrifices that have been made to slow the spread of COVID-19,” the county statement said.