Oof.
On Saturday, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic confirmed what most people expected: The Blue Jackets will not be able to host fans in Nationwide Arena during the beginning of NHL season.
Per Portzline, "the Blue Jackets will be allowed to play games in Nationwide when the NHL resumes, but one source indicated that no more than 300 people would be allowed in the building for games." Portzline noted in his report that the number of 300 people will not allow fans.
"The hope is that more people will be allowed in the building as the season progresses and as the COVID-19 vaccines become more readily available."– Aaron Portzline, The Athletic
"When you count the Blue Jackets’ players and coaches, the medical and training staffs, facility staffers, broadcasters and limited media, those 300 spots will go quickly," Portzline wrote. "Put another way: The Blue Jackets don’t expect to be able to host fans in the short term."
While this is unfortunate news, there is still optimism: "The hope is that more people will be allowed in the building as the season progresses and as the COVID-19 vaccines become more readily available," Portzline noted.
While this isn't the news that any of us wanted to hear, it's a good reminder that we need to keep being safe and responsible during this time. We're not out of the woods yet.
