COLUMBUS – The 5th Line may return to Nationwide Arena in the next few weeks, if not sooner.
The Blue Jackets announced via Twitter Thursday that a plan the NHL team and Columbus Arena Sports and Entertainment presented to Columbus Public Health to allow fans to attend home games at Nationwide Arena has been approved.
The recommendation will be sent to the Ohio Department of Health to request a variance from state health regulations designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Since their season started Jan. 14, the Blue Jackets have not been able to allow fans into the arena.
The plan calls for 1,953 fans, or 10% of the arena’s capacity, to attend home games.
The team says, once final approval of the plan is granted, it will take about a week to get ready to welcome fans into nationwide Arena.
The Nashville Predators and Chicago Blackhawks are scheduled to play in Columbus later this month.