Fans banned from games at Johns Hopkins

Mar 06, 2020
The stands in Goldfarb Gymnasium at Johns Hopkins, before Friday's opener.
Photo by Dave McHugh
 

The NCAA Tournament first- and second-round games at Johns Hopkins University this weekend will be closed to fans, the university announced late Thursday night.

"In light of Maryland's recently confirmed cases of COVID-19, and based on CDC guidance for large gatherings, we have determined that it is prudent to hold this tournament without spectators," a university news release announced. 

"We are not making any determination about other JHU events at this time; while we await further guidance from public health authorities, we will be assessing large events on a case-by-case basis.  We regret any inconvenience to the families and fans of the players."

A student at Yeshiva University, which is one of the four teams participating at Johns Hopkins this weekend, was diagnosed with COVID-19, more commonly known as coronavirus. This student is not a member of the men's basketball team.

"Our players were cleared by the Department of Health to travel and compete without any risk," Macs coach Elliot Steinmetz told Dave McHugh on Hoopsville on Thursday evening.

Yeshiva's hotel in the Baltimore area also cancelled its reservations. The team was able to find alternate accomodations. 

On Friday, the NCAA COVID-19 Advisory Panel released a statement, saying, in part, "The key is for all stakeholders and athletes to practice risk mitigation at all events. At present the panel is not recommending cancellation or public spacing of athletic and related events scheduled to occur in public spaces across the United States."

The panel includes health and security professionals from institutions across the U.S., including Amesh Adalja, M.D., Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security.

In addition, Amherst closed its gymnasium to fans, less than one hour before doors were to open at LeFrak Gymnasium.

"Given the rapidly evolving nature of the global COVID-19 outbreak, Amherst has carefully examined the information and guidance available to us and made the difficult decision to prohibit spectators at the NCAA basketball contests at LeFrak Gymnasium," athletic director Donald Faulstick said in a statement. "Please be aware that we are taking these actions out of an abundance of caution and being mindful of the health of the Amherst community, including the teams that are competing. We genuinely regret any inconvenience to the families and fans of the players."

Steinmetz's Hoopsville interview starts shortly after the 2:08:00 mark. This interview took place before the announcement that the games would be closed.