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Ohio governor recommends athletic events with no fans in stands as coronavirus spreads

COLUMBUS, Ohio — UPDATE, March 11 - 5:50 p.m.: The Blue Jackets have said they will comply with the Governor’s decision, and future games will not be open to the public.

This includes Thursday’s home game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

ORIGINAL: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is urging indoor athletic events be played in empty stadiums and arenas without fans in the stands due to the spread of the coronavirus.

It’s not clear what impact his announcement will have when the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night, but the Blue Jackets have said they are not planning on enforcing DeWine’s decision.

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In a press conference Tuesday, DeWine said he also is asking religious leaders to consider making changes to worship services to limit exposure and that prisons in the state have ended visitation.

RELATED: Kent State shutting down all in-person classes immediately due to coronavirus

The moves come after Ohio State University and Kent State University canceled in-person classes and three cases of the virus were confirmed near Cleveland.


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