TD Garden and the state’s other sporting venues have been given the green light to begin allowing fans at reduced capacity beginning on March 22.
If you’re lucky enough to score one of the tickets for the Bruins’ first home game with fans on March 23 or the Celtics’ on March 29, what can you expect?
The TD Garden has broken down a step-by-step guide to its “Play It Safe” protocols for fans:
“Play It Safe” Promise: An online health and safety agreement that must be completed and acknowledged on the day of the event by any individual entering TD Garden committing to the ‘Play It Safe’ protocols.
Mask Required: All fans attending a game or event at TD Garden are required to wear a mask at all times, except while actively eating or drinking in their seat as permitted. TD Garden guests should follow mask guidelines from the CDC.
All-Mobile Tickets: To reduce physical touchpoints, all events tickets are mobile only. Guests can download their tickets on the TD Garden Hub app for Bruins games and concerts, for the easiest all-in-one TD Garden experience. Celtics fans can download and display their tickets on the Boston Celtics app. Bruins fans can use the Boston Bruins app.
Pod Seating: Ticketed seats will be sold in pods of 2 and 4, and physically distanced at least 6 feet between groups.
New Entry Gates & Designated ‘Neighborhoods’: Guests will be given a specific entry gate and asked to enter the arena only through assigned entrances based on seating location. The arena has been divided into east and west hemispheres, and guests are asked to stay within their neighborhood to minimize contact between groups.
No Bag Policy: Strictly enforced upon entry to minimize touch points, ensure safety protocols and expedite the entry process.
Mobile Concession Ordering: New amenity available to all fans, guests can now skip the lines and order food and beverage online and through the TD Garden Hub app and pick it up at a designated concession stand.
New Touch-Free Amenities: Use the TD Garden Hub App to access features such as pre-paid parking, mobile ticketing, ordering food and beverage for contactless pick-up and using the mobile wallet for cashless transactions for concessions and retail.
Physically Distanced Exit: At the end of the event, TD Garden staff will assist guests in a physically distanced exit procedure, similar to airline exit strategy.
TD Garden has received the Global Biorisk Advisory Council STAR Facility Accreditation, the gold standard of prepared facilities, for its commitment to outbreak prevention, response and recovery. The GBAC STAR affirms that the arena has established and maintained a cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention program to minimize risks; implemented proper cleaning protocols, techniques and practices to combat infectious diseases; and extensively trained cleaning professionals for outbreak and infectious disease preparation and response.
Additional steps being taken by TD Garden include:
Staff Protocols & Training: Specialized training and proper personal protective equipment provided to all TD Garden, Bruins and Celtics staff.
Heightened Cleaning Procedures: Heightened and increased frequency of cleaning and sanitization based on guidelines from CDC and third-party experts with hospital-grade disinfectants before, during and after events. A dedicated “TD Garden Clean Team” will be assigned to the arena for active disinfecting during the event. TD Garden follows guidelines from the CDC and has consulted outside experts to clean and disinfect restrooms, concessions and seating prior to the event.
Play It Safe Signage and Physical Distancing: Signage instructions for physical distancing throughout the arena, including ticketed seating, concourse areas, elevators and escalators, ingress and egress.
Hand Sanitizer: Available to all guests throughout the arena.
Facility Improvement & Enhanced Systems: During the recent TD Garden renovation, the arena added approximately 16,000 CFM of heating and cooling to assist with the added square footage of expansion of the building. This additional CFM will assist in the frequency, filtration, and distribution of air flow. TD Garden has upgraded from Merv 8 to Merv 13 Air Filters. These filters are typically used in hospital and clean room applications and will assist in maintaining clean air flow throughout TD Garden. AtmosAir ionization modules were installed in restaurants, offices and locker room air-handling distribution units.