The NHL, NBA, MLB and MLS all announced Monday that all team locker rooms will only be open to players and essential team employees.

Media access will instead be held in designated areas outside the locker rooms due to concerns over the coronavirus.

Some NHL teams are facing further restrictions.

For Airdrie's Aaron Dell and the San Jose Sharks, it could mean playing in an empty arena for home games for the remainder of the month.

Santa Clara County in California issued a ban on mass gatherings in response to the spread of the virus.

“We will be reviewing each scheduled event due to take place for the rest of the month and provide an update in the coming days,” said Sharks Sports & Entertainment in a statement posted online. “We appreciate the understanding and patience of our fans, guests and partners during this unprecedented time.”

That means there is a chance there will be no fans in their arena for upcoming home games. The Sharks are slated to host the Montreal Canadiens on March 19, Boston Bruins on March 21, and Arizona Coyotes March 29.

The Sharks are starting a four-game road swing tonight (Monday) with a game in Chicago against the Blackhawks. San Jose will then travel to St. Louis, Dallas and Colorado before heading back to the shark tank.

 

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