Revenue / 04.22.20
Federal Plan Addresses Reopening Venues
Access Staff
VenuesNow (04/16/20) Zoltak, James
President Trump on April 16 announced a federal plan to reopen the U.S. economy, including guidelines for public assembly venues, following prolonged closures designed to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The "Opening Up America Again" agenda calls for a phased reopening of businesses based on benchmarks, or gating criteria, that must first be met. The guidelines are nonbinding and leave decision-making to states and their governors. Trump said the recommencement of sports events will likely lack fans, and therefore will be made for TV initially, with attendance gradually rebuilding. The reopening phase guidelines permit places like sports venues "to operate under strict physical distancing protocols," including six feet of separation. Phase one calls for gatherings of no more than 10 people when such distancing is impossible. For phase two, in which employers in states and regions with no evidence of resurging infection rates can continue operating with strict distancing measures and expanded gatherings, "social settings of more than 50 people, where appropriate distancing may not be practical, should be avoided unless precautionary measures are observed," the guidelines recommend. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci said the third phase could conceivably involve the return of packed arenas for sporting events, large crowds and concerts.
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Tags: Sports , News , Venues , COVID-19 , Coronavirus