U.S. signs order allowing exempting foreign-born athletes from being denied entry into the country

It's a big step that needed to be taken in order for hockey to return to the United States. The country's Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf has signed an order that exempts certain foreign professional athletes who compete in professional sporting events organized by certain leagues, including their essential staff and their dependents, from being barred from entry into the U.S.

"Professional sporting events provide much needed economic benefits, but equally important, they provide community pride and national unity,” said Acting Secretary Wolf. “In today's environment, Americans need their sports. It's time to reopen the economy and it's time we get our professional athletes back to work.”

The order does not exempt individuals from inspection by Customs and Border Protection or any other agency requirements. The Acting Secretary may add or remove those exempted from the list based on assessments of national interest, including the plans of the relevant professional sporting groups to support sporting events in the United States that do not cause an unnecessary risk to the public health.

Besides the NHL, both Major League Baseball and the NBA are working on plans to either begin or resume their seasons amid the pandemic. Players have accepted the league's 24-team format playoff proposal, although several details still need to be worked out. An announcement is expected in the coming days.

Source: Department of Homeland Security

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