NHL, NBA among major sports leagues struggling with COVID-19 outbreaks
Global News
The outbreaks come as the holiday season nears in the United States and Canada, which is usually filled with sport action from major leagues like the NBA.
North America’s major sports leagues were struggling to contain an explosion of COVID-19 outbreaks on Thursday as fans were bracing for a holiday season of disruption.
For three days the National Football League, National Hockey League and National Basketball Association have faced a surge in positive tests, forcing players into league-mandated COVID-19 protocols and the postponement of games.
The holiday season across the United States and Canada is usually filled with sport action with everything from college football Bowl games to the NBA’s Christmas Day showcase.
There is no indication yet that any holiday action will be postponed but with the coronavirus spreading through locker rooms, fans may not see all their favourite players.
The NHL’s Montreal Canadiens hosted the Philadelphia Flyers without fans on Thursday after receiving a request from Quebec public health officials due to the “spiraling rise of COVID-19 cases in the region”.
“We have obtained assurances that beginning with our games in January, we will return to a partial capacity scenario and be able to host fans once more,” the Canadiens said in a statement, encouraging fans to get vaccinated and receive booster shots.
The NFL, which had around 100 players test positive this week, updated its COVID-19 protocols on Thursday, requiring masks regardless of vaccination status, eliminating in-person meals and barring outside visitors while teams are traveling.
The NFL told Reuters there are no plans to limit stadium capacity given that, with few exceptions, players do not interact with fans on game day.
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