Prudential Center Reopening; NJ Devils 'Focused On Safety'

NEWARK, NJ — New Jersey is getting ready to partially reopen some of its largest sports and entertainment venues after shutting them down due to the coronavirus pandemic, and it’s music to the ears of hockey fans in the Garden State.

On Monday, Gov. Phil Murphy announced that any sports or entertainment venue with a capacity of 5,000 or more will be allowed to reopen, with a 10 percent capacity limit indoors and a 15 percent capacity limit outdoors, starting on March 1. Read More: NJ To Open Up Sports, Entertainment Venues Amid COVID

The coronavirus rule change will include venues such as the Prudential Center in Newark, which hosts concerts and entertainment events, and also serves as the home to the New Jersey Devils hockey team. At the Prudential Center, this means events will be limited to between 1,700 and 1,800 spectators.

Spokespeople for the Prudential Center and the New Jersey Devils applauded Murphy’s decision, saying it’s a “big step towards the return of sellout crowds in Newark.”

The Devils will welcome fans back to "The Rock" with a matchup against the New York Islanders on March 2.

“This is a day toward which our entire staff has been planning, working, and looking forward to for the past 11 months,” New Jersey Devils President Jake Reynolds said.

“Those who enter the building will feel confident that our process and protocols are focused on making their safety the number one priority,” Reynolds said.

According to the Devils, the Prudential Center’s COVID-19 safety measures were developed in cooperation with medical advice from RWJBarnabas Health, which runs the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, among other New Jersey hospitals.

“That includes maximizing social distancing, minimizing contact, and using products and technology to ensure the wellbeing, safety and enjoyment of our fans and attendees,” Reynolds said.

This article contains reporting from Carly Baldwin, Patch staff

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