Coronavirus outbreak forces Seattle Mariners to consider relocating home games: reportclose
Video
WHO officially designates coronavirus a global pandemic
The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a global pandemic; reaction and analysis on 'Outnumbered.'
The coronavirus outbreak will reportedly force the Seattle Mariners to relocate their first two home series of the season.
The Mariners are set to begin their season at T-Mobile Park on March 26, with their first seven games at home against the Texas Rangers and the Minnesota Twins. According to the New York Post, Seattle is looking to relocate those two series as the state of Washington and the rest of the U.S. combat the virus.
MLB PREFERS TEAMS FLIP SITES IF VIRUS SHUTS PARKS
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced a ban on gatherings of more than 250 people in King, Snohomish and Pierce Counties on Wednesday. T-Mobile Park is located in King County. The restriction will apply to public gatherings at sporting events, concerts and other public gatherings.
Sources told the Seattle Times that part of a contingency plan includes the Mariners staying in Arizona – where they are currently for spring training – and starting the season there.
VIRUS IMPACT ON US SPORTS GROWS; MORE RESTRICTIONS IN EUROPE
The Seattle Dragons, of the XFL, the Seattle Sounders, of the MLS, and the University of Washington are expected to make statements after Inslee speaks Wednesday.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., told the newspaper that she expected the number of coronavirus cases to rise in the coming days.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
“It is very important that we move to mitigation, from containment to mitigation where we really encourage people to stay home,” she told the Seattle Times.
At least 24 people have died from the coronavirus in Washington state. The World Health Organization declared coronavirus a pandemic on Wednesday.
