
That means an unvaccinated player who hasn’t tested positive, but who has been in close contact with someone who has, may have to withdraw from the tournament.ĭr. Vaccinated players may not have to go into quarantine after such contact, depending on recommendations from tournament physicians. If they come into close contact with someone who has the coronavirus, they will be required to go into quarantine. Players who are not vaccinated are encouraged to wear masks everywhere when not practicing or competing. And we will continue to monitor and will continue to follow the advice of our health authorities.”

“The goal is to prevent an outbreak and an uptick, and New York City has remained very steady. “The goal is not to prevent a single infection,” he said. But he also knows that not all will and that not all transmission of the virus can be avoided at a huge event like the U.S. Hainline added that even though masks would not be required for unvaccinated fans outdoors, he encouraged those who have not been vaccinated to wear them while at the tournament.
#US OPEN ARENA CAPACITY FULL#
Hainline said that some of the strategy behind the relatively relaxed protocols had been derived from monitoring the situations at the two baseball stadiums, which opened to full capacities in June.įans without proof of vaccinations will be required to wear masks while eating or shopping indoors and must take food outside to eat.ĭr. If they test positive, they will have to withdraw from the tournament, regardless of what stage the event is in, according to Stacey Allaster, the tournament director.ĭr.

All players will be tested upon arrival and then tested every four days after that. Players will be granted more freedom of movement than they were given last year, when many complained about isolation because they had been sequestered in a hotel in Long Island. Hainline said, “but what we are never doing is less than what New York City public health authorities are recommending.” “Sometimes we’re going above and beyond what New York City is recommending,” Dr.

officials say.īrian Hainline, a physician and a member of the U.S.T.A.’s medical advisory board who is also the chief medical officer of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, said the protocols for fans and players had been developed with the approval and consultation of New York City health officials. That is because the stadiums’ ventilation systems are considered adequate, U.S.T.A. The Penguins’ last home game with full capacity was March 8, 2020.Much of the event is held outdoors, and the two roofed stadiums - Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong - will be considered outdoors, too, even if the roofs are closed. The first 10 rows of seats along the glass and bench areas remain covered by tarps with advertising. On Saturday, the team practiced at the venue with a number of seats in the lower and upper bowls tied off in blocks of two and four that were socially distanced. Without such a date, the team is taking steps to be as “prepared as possible” for a potential reopening.Ī number of measures already have been taken at PPG Paints Arena, such as drone disinfecting technology in the arena bowl, autonomous UV floor scrubbers, touchless faucets and flush valves in all restrooms, 200-plus hand sanitizer stations and enhanced cleaning protocols throughout the building.īeyond cleaning measures, the team is aiming to “make fan experiences almost completely touchless.” New York will permit venues of 10,000 or more to open at 10% capacity.Īccording to Penguins vice president of communications Jennifer Bullano Ridgley, the team has no target date to open the building to spectators.

On Wednesday, neighboring New York state announced it would permit sporting and entertainment venues to open in limited capacities Feb. The team presented a plan to the state for when it is deemed safe and appropriate to open the venue.Ĭurrently, PPG Paints Arena is closed to most spectators and is limited to 500 people at a time, including players, coaches, team employees and family of those groups, as well as arena employees and media.īecause of the covid-19 pandemic, the Penguins’ four home games this season have been played in a mostly empty building.īased on the listed capacity of PPG Paints Arena of 18,387 for hockey games according to the venue’s website, a target of 25% would equate to 4,596 spectators. Department of Health seeking permission since the start of the NHL’s season in mid-January to open PPG Paints Arena to spectators at 25% capacity. The Pittsburgh Penguins have made requests to Gov.
