BOSTON — It’s game on at the TD Garden. The Bruins are facing off against the Islanders Thursday night, and for the first time since the start of the pandemic, fans will be back in the stands.
There is a lot of excitement along with many changes for fans in attendance. Anyone attending the game will need to have a phone with the TD Garden Hub app downloaded to show their ticket to enter. It also allows purchasing of food from concessions.
The Bruins and Celtics have been playing their seasons at the Garden, but with no fans in the stands. That will change Thursday night when the venue can operate at 12% capacity, allowing for 2,200 fans.
There are plenty of safety protocols in place, including marking on the floors throughout the building for social distancing and hand sanitizer stations. While seated, fans will be socially distanced in groups. They will have to wear a mask at all times, except when eating or drinking. They’ll use the TD Garden Hub app to order their food and then pick it up at a designated concession stand.
“We’re thrilled to have them back,” said Amy Latimer, president of TD Garden. “We’re excited, I know the players are excited, I know the fans can’t wait to come back. This neighborhood -- we really need to get some energy back here on Causeway Street for the restaurants and the businesses that are here, even the transportation. So I feel like this is a starting point for us.”
This will be the Bruins’ first game since last week, and three players were just cleared from COVID protocols Wednesday.
As far as the Celtics, their first home game with fans will be Monday against the Pelicans.
TD Garden has adopted a new “Play it Safe” commitment to safety protocols. You can see the full list of the new safety guidelines here.
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