CLEVELAND — There is still uncertainty as to how COVID-19 will impact the amount of Browns fans allowed into FirstEnergy Stadium this fall.
However, the city of Cleveland has made it clear in a recent order that there will be no tailgating allowed on city property, including the Muni Lot.
"Tailgating, even for groups of less than 10 persons, is prohibited on City property, including City-owned parking lots," the order reads. "Vehicles will not be to park prior to 2 hours before the start of a football game on any City-owned parking lot."
Last Thursday, Mayor Frank Jackson signed an order extending the City’s Proclamation of Civil Emergency through Sept. 30, 2020. The mass gathering order was amended to state that the city will not issue permits for block parties/tailgating and tailgating on city property is prohibited.
"Public and private gatherings of greater than 10 people occurring outside of a single household or living unit, including but not limited to block/street parties and tailgating events, are prohibited. The City will not issue permits for tailgating events, even for groups of less than 10 people, on any property," the order adds.
You can read Jackson's order below:
The Browns will begin the 2020 regular season in Baltimore on September 13. Their first home game will be a Thursday night matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 17. The Browns will also be home on September 27 when they take on the Washington Football Team.
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In Gov. Mike DeWine's sports reopen plan that was released last week by the Ohio Department of Health, teams will be allowed to host 1,500 fans or 15% of the fixed seating capacity, whichever number is lower. The order adds that a team or venue can submit a plan to their local health department and the Ohio Department of Health asking for higher attendance, and any decision issued by the state director would not be subject to appeal.
If the Browns would be allowed to hold games with 20% capacity, FirstEnergy Stadium could hold 13,579 fans.