Seattle (April 1, 2021) Mayor Jenny A. Durkan issued the following statement to recognize Mariners’ Opening Day, urging caution to fans who are looking forward to the fist large-scale public spectator event to occur in Seattle in over a year.
“This year on opening day, we are not just celebrating the start of baseball season, we are celebrating the first public sporting event in our City since the world went into lockdown over a year ago. It’s impossible to capture what this means, not just for fans of the Mariners, but for everyone who is desperately longing for the world to feel normal again.
“As we welcome baseball fans back to T-Mobile Park, I sincerely hope that people take this opportunity to enjoy all that our City has to offer – from the stadium to Pike Market and beyond – but I urge you to do so safely. We have already seen the beginning of a fourth wave due to the presence of variants in our community, which could push us back into Phase Two.
“While we are taking steps towards reopening, we all still have a role to play in defeating this pandemic. I know everyone is fatigued, and we all want this pandemic to be over. But now is not the time to let up on our efforts. Please continue to wear your mask in public, keep your distance and limit social gatherings, get tested and stay home if you feel sick, and sign up for a vaccine when it’s your turn.”