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LCS, LEC to play games without an audience due to coronavirus concerns

Courtesy of Riot

The LCS and LEC announced Thursday that spectators and the media will not be able to attend games because of the coronavirus crisis. Additionally, North American LCS commissioner Chris Greeley said that tailgates will be suspended for the LCS.

Greeley also gave an update on the 2020 Spring Finals, currently scheduled to take place at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, on April 18 and 19, saying that the LCS expected to share a decision by March 20.

The LEC said in a statement that there will be no audience or media attendance for the remainder of the Spring Split in the LEC Studio in Berlin, including the Finals.

Origen, who are based in Copenhagen, Denmark, will not travel to Berlin and will play online this weekend.

At least two esports events scheduled to take place in Texas, the Rocket League Season 9 World Championships and the Apex Legends Global Series Major 1 event, had been previously canceled.

Currently, the LCK in South Korea is on hiatus and the LPL in China has moved to an online format due to COVID-19. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump suspended all flights to the United States coming from Europe for 30 days. Additionally, the NBA suspended its season due to concerns over the coronavirus, and Utah Jazz players Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell have tested positive.

The Coronavirus has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization.