The New York Giants and New York Jets are not allowed to have fans in MetLife Stadium until "further notice," according to an executive order from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.
The order recently limited the number of people that could attend outdoor gatherings in the state of New Jersey at 500. It was specified Monday that it would include sporting events, including training camps.
The Jets and Giants are set to hold training camps at their team facilities in Florham Park and East Rutherford, New Jersey, respectively. The Giants plan to use MetLife Stadium for most activities -- with no fans in attendance -- to allow for social distancing; the stadium is across the street from the Quest Diagnostics Training Center, where they will practice.
"My Administration has been working in close coordination with professional sports and college teams to determine how to proceed safely with games at their stadiums amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic," the governor said in a statement. "While we look forward to the day we can return to games as normal and cheer from the stands, continued concerns for the health and safety of fans, team members, and staff dictates that our executive order limiting outdoor gatherings does apply to sporting events, including training camp.
"We will continue to closely monitor the public health reality and work with health experts to determine how to move forward, and we will continue to work closely with the teams as conditions change. Like all fans across New Jersey, I look forward to watching our teams play from home and plan to be there in person to support the teams when it is safe to do so."
The Jets' regular season home opener is scheduled for Sept. 20 at MetLife Stadium against the San Francisco 49ers. The Giants are set to host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night, Sept. 14.
While New Jersey and the New York/metropolitan area have made strides in recent weeks, this seemed inevitable. Face coverings are still required in New Jersey in outdoor public spaces where social distancing is not possible.
The Giants and Jets expressed their full support of the decision in a joint statement.
"Today Governor Murphy announced that, due to the ongoing public health crisis, his Executive Order limiting outdoor public gatherings will apply to events at MetLife Stadium until further notice. This decision was reached after careful consideration of the current state of the COVID-19 crisis, in discussions with the Giants and Jets, and in consideration of the health and safety of our fans, players and staff, which will continue to be the primary focus of our teams.
"We support Governor Murphy's decision in the interest of public health and safety and, until circumstances change, both the Giants and Jets will play our games without the benefit of fans in attendance. Although we would prefer to have fans at MetLife Stadium for our games, we will continue to work with Governor Murphy's office and will provide updates if necessary.
"Additionally, out of an abundance of caution, each team's 2020 Training Camps and practices will not be open to the public.
"We urge our fans to continue to take the necessary precautions recommended by health officials to stay safe and we look forward to seeing you at MetLife Stadium as soon as possible. Thank you again for your continued patience and understanding during these unprecedented times and we will continue to provide information as it becomes available."
MetLife Stadium has a capacity of 82,500, and boasts being one of the largest stadiums in the NFL.