Yankee Stadium Earns WELL Health-Safety Rating

Sports fans can always count on the New York Yankees to be at the forefront of new developments both on and off the field. That rang true in August 2020 when Yankee Stadium became the first first sports and entertainment venue in the world to achieve the WELL health-safety rating amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, a huge feat for the organization. 

The newly launched rating reflects the measures the club has taken to ensure the best operating procedures to help fight COVID-19, not only for the players and staff, but it ensures that Yankee Stadium is properly prepared to welcome fans back into the ballpark when deemed safe by Major League Baseball and local governmental authorities.

“The WELL Health-Safety Rating achieved by the Yankees is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating for all new and existing buildings and spaces,” the International WELL Building Institute explained in a press release. “The WELL Health-Safety Rating provides operational policies, maintenance protocols, emergency plans and stakeholder engagement strategies to help organizations prepare and maintain their spaces for re-entry in a post COVID-19 environment. The Yankees joined more than 100 organizations, encompassing over 500 facilities, who enrolled in the documentation-based program at launch and who have begun implementing its scientific guidance.”

As for what this means for the future, Doug Behar, Yankees Senior Vice President of Stadium Operations, shared that “working with IWBI to achieve the WELL Health-Safety Rating allowed us to focus and implement the most effective and efficient methods known to help mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission in both a workplace setting and a place where the general public will eventually gather again.”

Behar added: “Given that the WELL criteria have been informed by renowned experts and standard-making bodies in this field gives us confidence that we are taking appropriate preventative measures to support the health and safety of our players, field staff, employees — and eventually fans.”

The feat didn’t come overnight. Teams worked hard to achieve the rating. “Reaching this level and receiving third-party verification from GBCI (Green Business Certification Inc.) was a long and uncompromising road, but one that is clearly in the best interests of everyone who steps foot into Yankee Stadium,” Behar added.

While the shortened 2020 MLB season is well underway with no fans, spectators can’t wait to get back into the stadium. Thankfully, when the time comes for Yankee Stadium to open its doors, the public can rest assured that the organization has done everything in its power to create a safe and sanitary environment for all.