NFL says fans must wear face coverings this season

(FILES) In this file photo taken on April 4, 2020, New Orleans Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno wears her face mask with the New Orleans Saints NFL team logo as the media tours the field hospital setup for coronavirus patients at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Fans attending NFL games this season will be required to wear face coverings, a spokesman for the league said on July 22, 2020. The directive, aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19, was confirmed in a tweet by the NFL’s head of public relations, Brian McCarthy. Chris Graythen / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Fans attending NFL games this season will be required to wear face coverings, a spokesman for the league said Wednesday.

The directive, aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19, was confirmed in a tweet by the NFL’s head of public relations, Brian McCarthy.

“For those wondering, yes, it is league-wide: fans at NFL games this season will be required to wear face coverings,” McCarthy wrote.

The decision comes amid uncertainty clouding preparations for the new season, with games set to be played in front of reduced capacity crowds or none at all.

The NFL insists that the season will kick off as scheduled in September.

However, coronavirus cases across the United States have continued to climb sharply, causing a potential headache for several NFL teams located in COVID-19 hotspots.

The NFL has already agreed to cancel the entire programme of pre-season games which were due to kick off in August.