Pro Football Hall of Fame reopens in Canton after three month closure

Aug 3, 2019; Canton, OH, USA; General overall view of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Photo credit © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

After being forced to closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton re-opened its doors on Wednesday.

Closed since mid-March, the Hall made the call to re-open after Ohio Governor Mike DeWine gave the go ahead for museums, science centers and zoos to open.

“Since its grand opening in September 1963, the Pro Football Hall of Fame had never been closed more than two days in a row,” Hall president and CEO David Baker said in a press release. “So after nearly three months, you can imagine our excitement at being able to open our doors again to fans of this great game.

“We welcome them back and join them in honoring the heroes of the game, preserving its history, promoting its values and celebrating excellence everywhere.”

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has put the following health and safety guidelines in place for both visitoros and museum staff.

  • All employees must wear face coverings. Visitors are also encouraged to do so.

  • Masks and disposable gloves will be available.

  • A stylus will be given to anyone wanting one for interactive displays.

  • Hand sanitizer stations have been placed throughout the Hall of Fame.

  • Frequent cleansing and disinfecting procedures will be done each day.

  • One-way flow for fans will be in force.

  • The two main theaters within the hall will have limited capacities. Showings in those theaters are continuous.

  • Signs throughout the exhibits emphasize social distancing.

  • The museum’s cafe will remain closed.

  • All hall employees and volunteers will receive a temperature reading with a no-contact scanning thermometer upon entering the building. Anyone with a temperature exceeding 100 will not be permitted to enter.

    • A decision on the Football Hall of Fame's annual enshrinement has yet to be made. The board of directors are scheduled to meet next week as the Hall maps out its contingency plans.

    The Class of 2020 enshrinement is currently scheduled for August 8th, where Steve Atwater, Isaac Bruce, Steve Hutchinson, Edgerrin James and Troy Polamalu are on track to be enshrined along with Paul Tagliabue, Steve Sabol and George Young, the three contributors in the Centennial Class.

    The NFL has also yet to make a decision about the Hall of Fame Game, scheduled for August 6th in Canton at the Hall of Fame. The Cowboys and Steelers are scheduled to play.