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The Miami Dolphins are going to be one of the few teams to allow fans inside stadiums this season.
On Monday morning, Hard Rock Stadium announced they were going to let a limited amount of fans to attend both Miami Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes games this year.
For our home opener against the Bills at @HardRockStadium we will have a maximum of 13,000 fans. All fans will be required to wear a mask.
Read More: https://t.co/pkfOJozy8q pic.twitter.com/Mp3MVA7vnP
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 24, 2020
Hard Rock Stadium detailed their step by step plan to keeps fans safe during the team’s home opener.
Upon arrival, fans will have staggered gate entry with entry times listed on their game ticket. Tickets are touchless entry. pic.twitter.com/m91gfXCzbC
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 24, 2020
All fans and stadium employees will be required to wear a mask when not actively eating or drinking. pic.twitter.com/iAXXPUQF21
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 24, 2020
.@HardRockStadium is now a cashless stadium including parking, food service, and retail. pic.twitter.com/dykYxMBmr6
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 24, 2020
Throughout @HardRockStadium, we have signage to promote social distancing wherever lines may form. pic.twitter.com/a35aTriAkn
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 24, 2020
Suite Holders will have pre-packaged food, mobile control of Suite TVs, and automatic glove dispensers to provide minimal contact. pic.twitter.com/xcyCygb3vk
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 24, 2020
At the conclusion of each event at @HardRockStadium, ushers will release individual rows to help ensure social distancing. pic.twitter.com/H7jshNXRA5
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 24, 2020
The organization conducted a thorough review starting in late March of the fan experience with the intent to provide minimal contact for guests and announced a series of initiatives in July designed to create a safe environment in 2020. Policies for the 2020 season will include:
GBAC Star certification
Socially distanced seating clusters
All fans and stadium employees will be required to wear a mask when not actively eating or drinking
Upgrading Air Conditioning filters from Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) 10 to MERV 14 (Hospital Grade)
Mobile touchless entry with more points of entries and exits to help avoid bottlenecks at ingress/egress
Staggered gate entry with entry times listed on game tickets
Cashless experience for food service, parking and retail
New walk through metal detectors with touchless security screening to allow fans to keep all items in their pockets for faster entry
1 metal detector for every 104 fans vs 1 metal detector for every 394 fans in 2019
Changing from manual to contactless toilets and faucets
No smoking inside the stadium or helixes
No tailgating for 2020 season with parking lots open two hours before kickoff instead of four hours
Season ticket members will have first priority to purchase tickets based on their tenure according to the press release.
Local leaders are a bit skeptical at Hard Rock Stadium’s reopening this fall but it seems like Governor Ron DeSantis has the final say for now.
Former UM president as the University of Miami prepares for its home opener at Hard Rock Stadium, which will be open to spectators in September. https://t.co/25lcsneeLb
— Doug Hanks (@doug_hanks) August 24, 2020
In fact, @GovRonDeSantis is coming to Hard Rock at noon today for this announcement. https://t.co/5UxL6jIDP1
— Doug Hanks (@doug_hanks) August 24, 2020
On Monday the Florida department of health added 772 additional Coronavirus cases from Miami Dade Country, which has been the hardest hit county in the state with over 150k confirmed cases.
▪ Miami-Dade County reported 772 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19, and five new deaths, according to Florida’s Department of Health. The county now has 151,986 confirmed cases and 2,243 deaths. Percent positivity for new cases: 8.55%