Sonoma County is now considered to be part of the orange tier, which means indoor businesses like gyms and movie theaters can open up to 25% to 50% capacity while bars, professional sports, and theme parks can operate outdoors. Places like Rohnert Park are already seeing the newfound, restriction-less advancement as soccer and baseball players fill the public parks. Other locations in California are also opening up their professional sports, like San Francisco and Los Angeles.  

On April 9, Major League Baseball fans were welcomed back to Oracle Park by the San Francisco Giants. According to Amy Hollyfield, a reporter for ABC7 News, Friday’s game was not only the Giant’s first home game of the season, but it was also their first game to be watched by fans in the stand since the global pandemic began last March.

Though San Francisco is allowed to let fans watch baseball games in person, those who wish to attend games have to either show a negative COVID-19 test or proof that they have been vaccinated for at least two weeks. In addition, Oracle Park has a limited capacity set at 22%, meaning only a certain number of fans can attend games. 

“…it’s absolutely imperative that people take the extra step to get tested, or show they’re fully vaccinated, because you know it’s not just what’s going on in the ballpark, it’s the surrounding community and we want to make it a safe environment for everyone,” said Giants spokesperson Staci Slaughter to Hollyfield. 

San Francisco is not the only place opening up sports arenas in California. According to Victoria Hernandez, a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, the Dodger Stadium, located in downtown Los Angeles, is also opening its doors to the public with strict guidelines. 

Fans at the Dodger Stadium will also be assigned a zone where restrooms and concessions will be available. However, to ensure social distancing, those who are interested in ordering from concessions will have to do so from their phones. Only once they receive a message stating their food is ready are they allowed to go retrieve it. Dodger Stadium also announced that they will be cashless this upcoming season; “All concessions and merchandise must be paid for with debit or credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay.” wrote Hernandez. 

Hernandez also mentions that masks will be required for those of ages two and up and that the mask must be covering the fans’ nose and mouth. Hernandez warns the public that bandanas and neck gaiters will not be accepted as proper face coverings. The stadium also has the option to provide appropriate face masks for those who simply forgot or who may be unaware of their face mask policy.

With places like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and even Sonoma County being allowed to open back up, one cannot help but be excited about life returning to normal; life before a pandemic. However, it is important to not completely disregard the guidelines that are being set in places like Oracle Park or the Dodger Stadium; wearing masks or social distancing when possible.

Though this may seem a small foot towards returning back to life before the pandemic, at the same time is a big step for communities, like baseball fans to regain social connection, which was significantly missed across the country and the world.