What to know as fans return to T-Mobile Park

SEATTLE -- The Mariners are thrilled to welcome fans back to T-Mobile Park for the first time in more than a year and a half. And ahead of Opening Day on Thursday, they extensively outlined the new health and safety measures that will be implemented for the capacity of 9,000 ticketed entrants and everyone else in attendance, including staff.

For more information, fans can watch a short video at Mariners.com/Safety to help navigate the changes which are designed to provide a safe gameday experience. As the season progresses, restrictions may be relaxed in response to improved health conditions.

All guests aged two and older, as well as staff, are required to wear masks that cover both the nose and mouth at all times, except when actively eating or drinking.

All sales at T-Mobile Park will be exclusively cashless. Debit and credit cards, gift cards and mobile payments such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are the only forms of acceptable payments. Fans who do not have mobile pay, debit or credit cards can use ReadySTATION kiosks located around the ballpark to convert cash into Mastercard prepaid debit cards that never expire.

Here’s what else to expect when coming to T-Mobile Park:

Entry

All tickets for the 2021 season are digital through the MLB Ballpark or Ticketmaster apps, both of which are free to download. Fans will scan their own tickets on their mobile devices at pedestals located at ballpark gates. Digital tickets are available at Mariners.com/Tickets and at Mariners Team Stores, with seats available in small, physically-distanced pods of 1-6 fans. Pods must be members of the same household.

• More on downloading, accessing, transferring tickets

New walkthrough metal detectors have been installed at all gates that do not require fans to remove mobile phones and car keys from pockets. The units have 60 sensors that can be programmed to ignore personal effects, which results in quicker entry and less time spent standing in lines.

No bags will be allowed, including backpacks and handbags. Clutch size purses that are no larger than 4 1/2-by-6 1/2 inches are OK. Exceptions will be made for ADA/medical needs and single compartment diapers bags (though such fans must be accompanied by a child) that do not exceed 16-by-16-by-8 inches. No outside food is permitted, either, though fans are allowed to bring in one sealed, 32-ounce clear plastic water bottle. Also new: Fans have the option to return bags to their vehicles or use paid lockers located on Occidental Ave. to securely store bags during games.

Enhanced cleaning

New protocols were developed by the Mariners’ housekeeping partner, ABM, a world leader in industrial hygiene, whose enhanced cleaning protocols are based on guidance from board certified experts in infectious disease and industrial sanitation. T-Mobile Park’s infectious disease prevention practices utilize certified products and the latest technology to target suspected or known presence of COVID-19.

• More on health and safety measures

New efforts include daily cleaning and disinfection of the entire venue, with extra attention on high-traffic touch points, including handles, common areas, elevators and restrooms, using EPA approved disinfectant products.

Bathrooms will be actively cleaned by members of the ballpark staff throughout the game, using electrostatic sprayers to apply an electrically charged, broad-spectrum disinfecting solution that is formulated to target suspected or known presence of COVID-19 but is non-toxic to humans. Furthermore, UV-C light will be deployed to eliminate the threat of bacteria, viruses, mold spores and allergy-inducing microorganisms around toilets and sinks.

Additionally, incoming packages to the ballpark -- such as gear for players -- will receive disinfection and cleaning verification via Glo Germ, an evidence-based surface disinfection and cleaning verification program that uses fluorescent markers to detect the presence of biological contaminants and pathogens. It essentially kills those contaminants upon being sprayed. One of the staffers demonstrated the use of the product on a package that arrived Wednesday.

The Mariners recently received certification for T-Mobile Park from Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR Facility, a performance-based outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation for mitigating risks associated with the virus responsible for COVID-19.

Also, there will be an ionized air purification system in clubhouses and other indoor spaces to reduce outdoor air intake and kill pathogens.

Concessions

The Mariners and hospitality partner Centerplate are excited to bring back many of T-Mobile Park’s favorite refreshments in a safe and healthy manner. Concessions stands will operate throughout the ballpark, but for the first homestand, only every other ordering station will be open to help facilitate physical distance. And again, all transactions will be cashless.

• More on T-Mobile Park concession experience, including new items

All food items have been updated to focus on individually packaged items and grab-and-go options, such as those available at the Pepsi Fan Deck and AM/PM, both located on the main level. For example, nachos, chicken tenders, etc., will be served in compostable, enclosed boxes. Popcorn will also be disseminated in sealed bags. The effort is to ensure that fans can return food to their seats with their food experiencing almost no external contact.

Speaking of, fans can remove their masks to eat and drink food and beverages purchased from concessions stands, but only at their assigned ticketed seats.

Guests in suites and the Diamond Club will be able to order food and drinks on their phones using a new QR code system, which will send text alerts on their order’s delivery status. As the season progresses, mobile ordering may be expanded to other areas of the ballpark.

Additionally, all ballpark and Centerplate employees will receive daily health screenings and PPE, including double masks. There will also be Plexiglas protective barriers between each cashier and all surfaces will be wiped down with sanitizer after every contact.

Safety ambassadors

T-Mobile Park will have multiple teams of safety ambassadors roving each concourse to greet fans, assist with questions, serve as a point of contact for anyone concerned about non-compliance and enforce compliance with COVID-19 policies. Team members are trained to watch for violations and proactively intervene to enforce policies in a non-confrontational way. Safety Ambassadors will be outfitted in fluorescent yellow vests to make them easy to spot for fans in need of assistance.