The Winnipeg Jets say they will host up to 500 fully vaccinated health-care workers at Bell MTS Place for Games 1 and 2 of their second-round playoff series vs. the Montreal Canadiens.
The announcement comes shortly after Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister said earlier Tuesday that the Jets would be allowed to welcome a "small number of fans" for Wednesday's Game 1, which airs at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT on Sportsnet.
“Yeah, I think there will be some fans — a small number, a few — in the next Jets game and I know they’ll be safe and I know they’ll be careful and I know they’ll follow public health rules,” said Pallister.
“And I think we should take that as a sign of some small amount of optimism that we can start to get our lives back here in Manitoba.”
The Toronto Maple Leafs were similarly allowed by Ontario's government to host 550 fully vaccinated health-care workers at Game 7 of their first-round series against the Canadiens on Monday.
The decision comes as Manitoba deals with a severe third wave of COVID-19, marked by a third consecutive day of record intensive care admissions Tuesday, with some patients being flown to other provinces and the government implementing strict public health orders.
