UPDATE: The Penguins will take on the Blue Jackets tomorrow night in a closed arena.
#CBJ statement regarding Gov. Mike DeWine’s forthcoming order banning spectators: pic.twitter.com/OjU52raDeZ
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) March 11, 2020
Original story continues below
With the Coronavirus now declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, NHL arenas are starting to make decisions regarding how they will approach its games.
The Penguins said on Wednesday that it would move forward with the status quo of having fans in the arena.
The Penguins have been in regular contact with the NHL, the city, county, and health authorities and have determined that, based upon the facts before us, home games, including Sunday’s game against NYI, will go on as scheduled in front of fans.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 11, 2020
Details: https://t.co/q1io4iptWk pic.twitter.com/idVZ6Ukmeq
The Penguins are set to play the Blue Jackets tomorrow night in Columbus, where the Governor of Ohio has made suggestions and issued orders regarding large crowds gathering.
The Athletic: Blue Jackets will defy governor’s suggestion - for now, anyway - and continue welcoming fans in Nationwide Arena; Thursday vs. Pittsburgh, Saturday vs. Nashville will go on as usual #CBJ https://t.co/E6p9fhOx3W pic.twitter.com/NsApQf50Ak
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) March 11, 2020
With the Blue Jackets set to defy the Governor’s suggestions, it appears as if the Penguins will be playing the game in front of a regular crowd.
Things could change very quickly, as this is a very dynamic situation and could change multiple times in a day, even.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on both the Penguins away situation in Columbus, as well as any updates on whether the Penguins will change their status in playing home games.