Amid increasing concerns about the new coronavirus, the NBA asked teams on Friday to begin developing processes and identifying actions required if they have to play games without fans in attendance, limiting attendees to only what is deemed “essential staff,” according to a memo obtained by ESPN.
The memo said that members of the media and other typical attendees, in addition to fans, also could be absent from the arenas during games.
Teams have been asked to identify the team and arena staff essential to conduct such a game and to develop processes for “communicating quickly and effectively with team and arena staff who are/aren’t essential for this purpose.”
The memo said teams should also prepare for the possibility of implementing temperature checks on players, team staff, referees and anyone else essential to conducting a game.
The Golden State Warriors confirmed that Saturday night’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers will be played as scheduled after the San Francisco Department of Public Health advised for the cancellation or postponement of “large gatherings, such as concerts, sporting events, conventions or large community events.” The Warriors said they have been coordinating with the NBA and local officials.
As of Friday, the COVID-19 virus has infected more than 95,000 around the world, with more than 3,200 deaths reported. Fifteen of those deaths have been in the U.S.
In a previous memo sent to teams earlier this week, the NBA recommended players utilize fist-bumps over high-fives with fans and avoid taking items such as pens, balls and jerseys to autograph.
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