Fan bans due to coronavirus could impact Coyotes, Suns

Officials have banned large gatherings and events in the Seattle metro area and in San Francisco to try to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.

On Wednesday, the San Francisco mayor banned gatherings of 1,000 or more people, including Golden State Warriors games. California’s Santa Clara County, home to San Jose and Silicon Valley, announced a ban Monday on all gatherings of 1,000 people or more.

The Arizona Coyotes are scheduled to play at the home of the San Jose Sharks on March 29.

Up next immediately, the Coyotes begin a five-game homestand starting Thursday by facing the Vancouver Canucks.

As of Wednesday morning, there have been no bans announced by local Arizona pro teams that involve fans.

The San Francisco area ban will not affect the Phoenix Suns, who have played in Golden State twice already this year and will not return.

For the Suns, a future trip to Cleveland for a March 30 game against the Cavaliers could be played without fans. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recommended indoor sports teams play without fans in attendance earlier this week.

The game in Cleveland is the fifth game of a six-game road trip for the Suns.

Immediately, Phoenix visits Dallas on Saturday, returns home to play against Minnesota next Wednesday and then visits the Los Angeles Clippers Friday, March 20.

In Washington, Gov. Jay Inslee announced the ban Wednesday on events with more than 250 people in three counties with nearly 4 million people. At least 25 people have died in the state.

The order lasts through March and could be extended. It wouldn’t shut down businesses or schools but applies to sporting events like Seattle Sounders soccer games. The Mariners baseball team will move home games from Seattle, and the games moving to the Arizona Diamondbacks’ spring facility has been discussed, according to reports.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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