Pennsylvania Working On Guidelines To Allow Sports To Get Back To 'Some Semblance Of Normalcy'
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS/AP) — Will the Philadelphia Phillies be able to play at Citizens Bank Park this summer? Pennsylvania is working on guidelines to allow sporting events, exhibitions and leagues, both professional and amateur, to get back to "some semblance of normalcy" after practically everything shut down to help stem the spread of the coronavirus, Gov. Tom Wolf said Wednesday.
In a conference call with reporters, Wolf said he has been in touch with major professional organizations including NASCAR, the NFL, NHL, Major League Baseball and others to figure out how they can resume.
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He said he expected that his administration will, in the coming days, produce guidelines for the various venues, sports and activities to resume. But, he said, the ultimate success of the events and leagues will rest on whether people feel safe to attend and participate.
"In the end, the ultimate arbiter of our fate here when it comes to sporting events are going to be individuals who want to participate, individuals who want to be part of sports, whether its amateur or professional," Wolf said. "And we've got to make sure that we them give the confidence to then go to these sporting events and feel safe, that they're not taking their lives or health into their hands."
The Pennsylvania Department of Health said the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus has passed 64,000, while the coronavirus-related death toll reached 4,767. That included 746 newly confirmed cases and another 143 new deaths.
Pennsylvania has been reporting fewer virus cases lately after exceeding 1,000 new confirmed infections on all but three days last month, peaking at nearly 2,000 on April 9. The state has recorded fewer than 1,000 new cases the past 10 days.
(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)