Falcons announce opener vs. Seahawks in Atlanta will have no fans because of COVID-19
The Seahawks will be playing their season opener like they will their home opener the following week.
In an empty stadium.
The Atlanta Falcons announced Monday their first game Sept. 13 against Seattle will have no fans in attendance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium because of concerns over the ongoing presence of the COVID-19 virus in Georgia.
The Falcons had said earlier this summer they were expecting 10,000-20,000 fans to attend the Seahawks game. But the coronavirus pandemic continues.
“After thoughtful consideration and collaboration, it became clear to us that adhering to the guidance by national and local health officials was the right decision,” the Falcons said in announcing the decision of no fans at events in their stadium through the end of September.
The NFL is leaving decisions on fans being able to attend games — and if so, how many — this season up to each of its 32 teams. Those teams must coordinate with their local governments and public-health policies to put on games.
In Washington, the state with the nation’s first documented COVID-19 case this winter, Gov. Jay Inslee is allowing pro sports to practice and host games — without fans attending. That’s how the Seahawks’ home opener in Week 2, Sept. 20 against New England, will happen.
Inslee issued his go-ahead for pro sports in Washington back in June. Restrictions because of COVID-19 have not changed much in King County and Seattle since then. The county and city are still in the same phase, two of four, in the state’s Safe Start reopening program.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said last week he and his team expect to play all of their home games in front of fans.
This story was originally published August 17, 2020 at 10:40 AM.
