The line began forming outside the Hodges gate at Citi Field before 8 a.m. on Friday. Reporters and photographers with access to the ballpark — a number limited to 35 as part of MLB’s COVID-19 protocol — were greeted by a Mets employee who explained the entrance procedures.
First, there would be a standard bag check. But then came the new twists: a quick temperature scan, followed by a waiver that needed to be signed releasing the Mets from responsibility should you become infected by the coronavirus on the premises. Masks were required for entry. The Mets provided extras if needed.
In all, it ran smoothly, with the entire line processed within about 10 minutes of the gates opening. But with elevators limited to a one-person capacity as part of the protocol, reporters and photographers were encouraged to use the stairs.
Reporters were confined to the press box, with photographers allowed to shoot from the lower grandstand. Another change: the restrooms in the press box were restricted to one person at a time. To ensure there wasn’t confusion, Mets media relations officials distributed magnets with images of players that were placed on the restroom door when a person entered. The magnet got removed when somebody left the restroom.
Players and managers are conducting interviews on Zoom. Other than a technical difficulty that delayed Edwin Diaz’s press conference by several minutes, the process ran smoothly.