According to a new ESPN report, the Oklahoma City Thunder made sure to clear fans out of Chesapeake Energy Arena on Wednesday before news broke of a presumptive positive coronavirus test.
The game between the Utah Jazz and Thunder was postponed before news broke of a Jazz player, who was later reported to be Rudy Gobert, testing presumptive positive for the coronavirus. Following the news of the test, the NBA announced its season was suspended.
Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt, who was in the arena, aided in helping clear fans from the building, per the ESPN report.
“To avoid panic, it was decided that the arena should be cleared of fans before the positive COVID-19 test was announced and the season was suspended. That was no small task. The governor of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt, a regular at Thunder games, happened to be in the building. Sources said that helped facilitate and expedite resources toward clearing the building and managing the public health situation.”
Once the game was postponed, the Thunder’s public address announcer made sure to let fans know they were safe.
Thunder Jazz game gets postponed.
Thunder PA announcer: “You are all safe.”
Unreal. pic.twitter.com/MReVdLQbS8
— TJ Eckert (@TJEckertKTUL) March 12, 2020
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday the league’s suspension will last for at least 30 days. The NCAA announced Thursday it has canceled its Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
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