49ers ‘to relocate games’ after San Francisco mayor announces three-week lockdown starting MONDAY as Covid ravages city
THE San Francisco 49ers are looking to relocate their games after a lockdown was announced for the area amid surging coronavirus numbers.
Santa Clara County officials have banned professional, college and youth sports games and practices through December 21 ahead of Monday's lockdown.
The curfew requires non-essential businesses to close and prohibits members of different households from gathering in those hours until December 21, city Mayor London Breed announced.
The new restrictions in Santa Clara - which is already in the Purple Tier - were announced due to the "severe surge" in a county that is also home to college teams Stanford and San Jose State.
"The update today, to the professional sports and collegiate sports directive, will temporarily suspend activities that require direct physical contact or interaction in Santa Clara County," County Counsel James Williams told reporters on Saturday.
The 49ers play at the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, but are slated for three more home games.
They are on December 7 against the Buffalo Bills, December 13 against the Washington Football Team and January 3 versus the Seattle Seahawks.
The 49ers haven't had fans in the stands of Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara due to county health orders.
Another complicating factor for the 49ers is a new travel ordinance going into effect that will require a 14-day quarantine for people traveling in and out of the county from more than 150 miles away.
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The 49ers could elect to remain in Los Angeles after Sunday's game as they sort out destinations.
Oakland and the Phoenix area - perhaps Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe - could be possible sites for upcoming home games.