The NBA is hopeful that Chesapeake Energy Arena and all other stadiums will be able to operate with a full capacity of fans during the 2021-22 season, according to a new report from ESPN.
A partnership with a biometric screening company has created optimism around the league. Clear is known for its expedited security process at airports, ESPN wrote, and will allow teams around the league to use its COVID-19 health screening technology.
Teams around the league that already use Clear have access to health surveys, lab results and records for employee and fan protocols.
The Thunder have not allowed fans into Chesapeake Energy Arena at all this season, though the majority of teams around the league are allowing some fans at a reduced capacity.
Based on the ESPN report, stadiums could be back to full capacity next year.
As of April 6, the seven-day average of new coronavirus cases in Oklahoma was 310, a 17% decrease over the 14 days prior, according to the New York Times. The seven-day average of deaths was 15.
More than a million people in the state have received at least the first dose of the vaccine, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Heath.
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