COVID-19 Safety Updates from Hershey Bears Hockey

For almost 20 years, GIANT Center has provided world-class entertainment and sporting events in a safe and enjoyable environment. Our continued commitment to protecting our guests, athletes, and team members serves as the foundation of the enhanced efforts we have implemented to ensure the well-being and best possible experience for our guests. 

With guidance from the American Hockey League, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Pennsylvania Department of Health to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, here’s how we plan to be ready for you. 

• Increased Cleaning & Sanitization: We will sanitize high-touch areas frequently and add sanitization stations throughout GIANT Center.
• Capacity Management: We have a limited number of tickets available for sale to ensure we do not exceed occupancy limit requirements and allow guests to properly maintain safe distances.
• Tickets: A very limited number of tickets will be available for purchase online and guests will be seated with their party only. Each guest over the age of 2 must have a ticket (and reserved seat) to enter the GIANT Center. This policy allows our venue to comply with all state guidelines related to capacity management and social distancing.
• Face Coverings: Our revised policy, consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Pennsylvania Department of Health guidance, is detailed below as you plan your visit. 
  • Face coverings and social distancing for guests who are fully vaccinated will no longer be required effective immediately. Of course, all vaccinated guests are free to continue to wear face coverings if they choose to do so. 
  • All guests two years of age and older who are not fully vaccinated must wear face coverings during their visit except while eating or drinking.
  • We will rely on our guests to accurately follow the guidelines based on their vaccination status.
• Temperature screenings will no longer be conducted. 
• Social Distancing: Guests must sit in the seats printed on their ticket. Tickets will allow appropriate social distancing between guests from different travel parties. We will reinforce appropriate social distancing through signage and ground markings.
• Enhanced Team Member Training: Our team members will undergo increased training on new protocols.

These operational adjustments may change as guidance and requirements from various government agencies and industry organizations continue to evolve. It is important that we all continue to remain vigilant and work together to prioritize the health and safety of those around us. We appreciate our guests partnering with us in following all guidelines. 

Guest Information & Responsibilities 

What You Need To Know

Throughout your visit, we want you and your family to enjoy your time at GIANT Center knowing that our objective is to keep you healthy and happy. We ask that you partner with us on simple steps before and during your visit. Here is how you can prepare for a fun and safe experience at GIANT Center: 

• Buy in advance. Tickets must be purchased in advance and all guests over the age of 2 must have a ticket. This ensures you are assigned a seat(s) socially distanced from other guests. 
• Bring a face covering. All guests two years of age and older, who are NOT fully vaccinated, are required to wear face coverings at all times during their visit.
• Reduce personal items. We encourage guests to reduce the number of personal items they bring into GIANT Center. Bags may not exceed 12”x12”x6” and will be inspected. Learn more about policies and procedures here. 
• Maintain safe distance. Please adhere to social distancing guidelines and follow the direction from our team members and the signage at GIANT Center by maintaining 6 feet of space from other guests outside of your party at all times.
• Practice proper hygiene. Please practice good hygiene throughout your visit by washing your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. It is recommended that you wash your hands before eating, after coughing or sneezing, after toilet use, and when your hands are visibly dirty. You can use hand sanitizer as an alternative. When coughing or sneezing, please cover your mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue. You should throw the tissue into a trash receptacle after use and wash your hands.
• Stay home if sick. If a guest is experiencing any of the following, we ask that you stay home:

  • A guest who has COVID-19 symptoms.

  • A guest who has a COVID-19 test result pending.

  • A guest who is under a healthcare provider’s care for a positive COVID-19 test.

  • A guest who has been exposed to COVID-19.

New Safety Enhancements

Your Safety is Our Top Priority

Our company has always maintained high cleaning, sanitization, and disinfection standards, which meet or exceed established industry guidelines. With that foundation, we will introduce new enhancements that adhere to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the guidance and orders from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Increased Cleaning & Sanitization 

Frequent cleaning and sanitization will occur in both front and back of house areas for guest and team member safety.

• We will establish schedules and procedures for sanitizing high-touch areas frequently with EPA-approved chemicals/cleaning agents. Those areas include door handles, counters, handrails, seats, benches, bathroom surfaces, and ATM machines.
• We will add additional hand sanitization stations throughout GIANT Center with a solution containing at least 60% alcohol. All hand sanitizer for guests and team members will be an antimicrobial agent that kills or renders inactive 99.9% of all known bacteria, viruses, and fungi that are present on surfaces.

Ticketing

• Each guest over the age of 2 must have a ticket (and reserved seat) to enter the GIANT Center. This policy allows our venue to comply with all state guidelines related to capacity management and social distancing.
• In the interest of guest safety, social distancing, and creating the best possible experience for our guests, we are limiting the number of tickets sold to each event. 
• Guests without previously purchased tickets will not be allowed admission. 
• Tickets will allow appropriate distance between guests from different travel parties. 

Face Coverings

Our revised policy, consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Pennsylvania Department of Health guidance, is detailed below as you plan your visit. 

• Face coverings and social distancing for guests who are fully vaccinated will no longer be required effective immediately. Of course, all vaccinated guests are free to continue to wear face coverings if they choose to do so. 
• All guests two years of age and older who are not fully vaccinated must wear face coverings during their visit except while eating or drinking.
• We will rely on our guests to accurately follow the guidelines based on their vaccination status.

Social Distancing

• All guests will be asked to respect physical distancing from other guests by staying at least 6 feet apart, with the exception of those in their travel party.
• We will use recorded messages, signs, floor markings, and/or announcements to remind guests of health and hygiene, and physical distancing, requirements.
• Security screening points at the entrance to GIANT Center will be configured to support social distancing.

Concessions and Retail 

• Select concessions are open on the concourse. Outside food is not permitted. 
• Snack items will be available for purchase with cash only from guest seats.
• Retail: Hershey Sports will be open with reduced capacity to allow for appropriate social distancing. Merchandise is available for purchase on the online store. 

First Aid

• We have onsite First Aid that is licensed as a basic life support ambulance service through the Pennsylvania Department of Health in addition to emergency medical technicians at the First Aid station in GIANT Center. 
• First Aid stations will be configured to maintain appropriate physical distancing and will be cleaned and disinfected after each use.
• First Aid personnel will follow established protocols for responding to and handling guests or team members who have potential COVID-19 symptoms. All Pennsylvania Department of Health protocols will be followed. We will have designated areas for guests and team members who are exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms.

Restrooms

• Restrooms will be thoroughly and frequently cleaned/disinfected.
• Water fountains will be disabled.
• Electric hand dryers will be de-energized and single-use paper towels will be provided.

Player Appearances 

• To protect the health and safety of the players, guests, and team members, player appearances will be unavailable at this time. 

COVID-19 Warning

We have enhanced health and safety measures for our guests and team members. Guests must follow all posted instructions while visiting GIANT Center.

An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public location where people are present; we cannot guarantee you will not be exposed during your visit. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death and people who show no symptoms can spread COVID-19 if they are infected. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Visit the CDC website for the latest guidance.

By visiting GIANT Center you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will you have fans?
Yes. Starting with the regular season game on Feb. 6, 2021, we will offer a very limited number of seats for our first home games. 

When will tickets be available? How many tickets will you sell?
A very limited number of seats will be available for purchase through Ticketmaster.

Can STH/Club Seats come automatically?
No, but as a Season Ticket Holder you will have an opportunity to purchase single-game tickets as part of an exclusive Season Ticket Holder pre-sale when single game tickets do become available.

Will you require face coverings?
Consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Pennsylvania Department of Health guidance, face coverings and social distancing for guests who are fully vaccinated will no longer be required. Of course, all vaccinated guests are free to continue to wear face coverings if they choose to do so. All guests two years of age and older who are not fully vaccinated must wear face coverings during their visit except while eating or drinking. We will rely on our guests to accurately follow the guidelines based on their vaccination status.

Will you have food available?
Limited food options will be available to purchase with cash only from your seat. Options will include water, lemonade, popcorn, hot dogs and pretzels. Select concessions are open on the concourse. Outside food is not permitted. 

Will you have alcohol available?
Currently, alcoholic beverages will not be available for sale.

Will you charge for parking?
Parking is included in your ticket purchase for this season only. There will be no additional parking charge.