A lot of talk the past couple weeks in the United States is how we are going to get sports back. There were fans in the stands for baseball in Taiwan on Friday, albeit spaced far apart as a safeguard against the spread of the coronavirus.
Up to 1,000 spectators are now allowed at ballparks in Taiwan, but they are still barred from bringing in food and concession stands are still closed.Time Magazine spoke with a couple of fans that attended the game in Taiwan.
“This means our government’s disease control measures are quite rigorous,” said 34-year-old fan Frank Cheng, an electronics industry worker from New Taipei City.
Cheng went to see his hometown Fubon Guardians play the UniLions with four of his friends. They all sat at least three seats apart.
When the season opened on April 11 after a three-week delay, only players, team personnel and cheerleaders were allowed in the stadium. The league later proposed allowing 200 fans per game and the Centers for Disease Control gave clearance for 1,000, league spokesman Tai Si-song said.
Major League Baseball has begun planning a July 1st Opening Day, with a second Spring Training beginning on June 15th, however there are no plans to have fans present at this time.