The Counter-Strike Professional Players’ Association (CSPPA) is speaking with tournaments organizers to “establish clear and safe protocols” concerning a potential return to offline events, acknowledging that players are “looking forward” to once again attending LAN tournaments.
In a statement released today, the CSPPA cited the need for concerned discussion to “ensure a return to LAN which is as safe for players as possible.”
“As in any other professional sport, returning to physical events during the COVID-19 pandemic exposes players to considerable health risks due to travel and added exposure to a larger number of people,” CSSPA said.
CSSPA said general safety measures are being discussed, such as regulating “travel, testing policies, interactions with staff, media and fans.”
While the world continues to be impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, the CSSPA and organizers do have precedents to observe. Several sporting events have opted to continue their seasons with stringent measures.
On the esports side of things, Riot Games is hosting the 2020 League of Legends World Championship in Shanghai right now without live audiences. The NBA’s Disney World bubble is a shining example of a sporting isolation zone, with no players testing positive for COVID-19 for five consecutive weeks since play began on July 30.
