Sharks aware of county crowd ban over coronavirus, will review events

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The Sharks issued the following statement in response to Santa Clara County banning all mass gatherings that exceed 1,000 people for the month of March because of the coronavirus outbreak around the world.

"SAP Center at San Jose is aware of the County of Santa Clara's Public Health Department order to prohibit public and private mass gatherings through the end of March. We will adhere to the mandated guidelines," the team said in a statement. "No events are scheduled at SAP Center until Tues., March 17. We will be reviewing each scheduled event due to take place for the rest of the month and provide an update in the coming days. We appreciate the understanding and patience of our fans, guests and partners during this unprecedented time."

The Sharks' next four games are on the road, and they have three remaining home games this month (March 19 vs. Montreal, March 21 vs. Boston and March 29 vs. Arizona).

Per the Sharks' statement, they will review each event. No games have been canceled.

The San Jose Earthquakes also released a statement Monday night regarding the county's ban:

"The San Jose Earthquakes fully support the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department's recent announcement barring all mass gatherings through the end of the month and will comply immediately. We will soon have more information regarding upcoming events at Earthquakes Stadium."

The Earthquakes play one home game the rest of the month, March 21 against Sporting Kansas City.

Santa Clara County issued a ban Monday through the remainder of March on mass gatherings of over 1,000 people. The ban, announced by county health officer Dr. Sara Cody, does not extend to airports, shopping malls or "spaces where 1,000 or more persons may be in transit." Offices, retail and grocery stores also are exempt, provided they were locations "where it is unusual for [people] to be within arm's length of one another."

The ban was enacted hours after county health officials announced the first death from coronavirus in Santa Clara County.

Over 650 people are confirmed to have the coronavirus in the United States, which is labeled COVID-19 by the World Health Organization. Twenty-six people have died nationwide.

The NHL, along with MLB, MLS and the NBA, announced Monday that it would bar media from locker-room access amid concerns over the outbreak. 

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