Duck and Beaver fans won’t be finding their seats in a stadium anytime soon, as Oregon's governor this week put in place a ban on sporting events with fans in attendance through September.
Oregon Governor Kate Brown made the announcement this week as she said Oregon will continue moving toward opening with a phased approach.
"There is some difficult news to share,” Brown said in the statement. “Large gatherings, including live sporting events with audiences, concerts, festivals, and conventions will not be able to return until we have a reliable treatment or prevention like a vaccine.”
"The Oregon Health Authority is advising that any large gathering, at least through September, should be canceled or significantly modified."
The Oregon Ducks are slated to begin their 2020 football schedule on September 5, against North Dakota State. A week later the team is set to host Ohio State on September 12.
"Reopening any part of our state comes with risk," said Gov. Brown. "This virus is still very dangerous and poses a great threat. Until there is a vaccine, unfortunately, we can't go back to life as we know it. Not here in Oregon, and frankly anywhere. I know this can be a really tough reality to face."
University of Oregon president Michael Schill told CNN this week that he doesn’t envision packed stadiums in the state this year.
“I doubt very much we're going to have a packed stadium watching our Ducks play football,” Schill said to CNN anchor Kate Bolduan. "We're hoping our football games will be played, but we're not going to take any chances with the health and safety of our student-athletes or the people who come to watch them.”
