NBA considering fan options with testing

The NBA has drafted a plan to return fans to the seats in the 2020-21 season, but it won’t be as simple as just showing a ticket. The guidelines were shared with the 30 NBA teams in a league memo, The Athletic reported.

According to the report, any fan who will sit within 30 feet of the court must have returned a negative COVID-19 test taken two days before the game or take a rapid test on game day that turns out negative.

People sitting in those seats also will not be allowed to have food or beverages. And to further protect players and staff on the bench, teams can choose to install plexiglass behind the benches, The Athletic reported.

Anyone older than 2 in attendance also must wear a mask, follow social distancing and have their symptoms reviewed. Arenas can fill up to 5o% of the seats either if all fans are tested or if the county meets the following conditions: 3% or below positivity rate of all tests administered, or if the seven-day average of new cases per 100,000residents registers at 10or fewer, The Athletic said.

Fans sitting in suites won’t have to be tested if the suite has less than 25% occupancy.

• The NBA is returning in December, but fans will not immediately be coming back to Staples Center. Lakers home games will be played without fans until further notice, the team announced Wednesday. The Clippers have yet to formally announce their own plan but a person with knowledge of the situation said that the team also does not expect to begin the 2020-21 season with fans in the arena for home games.