The Washington Nationals announced that it has postponed Opening Day scheduled for Thursday, April 1, following the news about one player testing positive for COVID-19.
While the player’s name has not been released, the team’s General Manager Mike Rizzo said on Wednesday that four teammates, along with a staff member were quarantined as close contacts.
The game is not rescheduled for Friday “out of an abundance of caution,” according to the Nationals’ statement.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 1, 2021
EARLIER:
Opening Day for the Washington Nationals is taking place Thursday, April 1, with coronavirus safety guidelines in place as Nationals Park is permitted to welcome up to 5,000 spectators after a year of no fans in the stadium.
The Nationals will play against the New York Mets at 7:09 pm as part of the 2021 MLB Opening Day. The ballpark that has a seating capacity of 41,313 people will be 12 percent full. (The other two games of the team’s three-game home stand with the Mets are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.)
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser recently announced that the city allowed Nats Park to have 5,000 for the Nationals’ season opener. However, fans should prepare to experience a never-before-seen sports event at the ballpark.
ONE. MORE. SLEEP.
(But good luck sleeping after watching this.)#OpeningDay // #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/UAJat1Qskh
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) March 31, 2021
Ticket holders will have to follow a number of safety protocols to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. Among the measures are:
- Guests will enter (and exit) the ballpark through color-coded gates according to the assigned color on their ticket. (All ballpark gates will open two hours before the first pitch and all parking garages will open two and a half hours ahead of the first pitch.)
- Bags are not allowed inside the stadium, except small clutch bags (measuring up to 5”x7” x 3/4”), diaper bags or bags used for ADA/medical reasons (measuring up to 16″ x 16″ x 8″).
- Viewers must wear proper face coverings inside, except for when they are actively eating or drinking within their seating pods. (Face shields are only permitted along with an approved face covering. Bandanas, gaiters and face coverings with an exhalation valve are prohibited.)
- Seating areas have been divided into pods of up to six people to ensure proper distancing between groups.
- There are also signage and floor markers that will help guests remain physically distanced a minimum of six feet.
- Clear bottles may be brought in and filled at water bottle fill stations.
- Single-serving food items are allowed if they are kept in an approved bag or carried by hand.
For the full list of health and safety measures on Opening Day, click here.