The health and safety of our guests, employees, players, coaches, and training staff is the top priority for the Norfolk Tides Baseball Club. The Tides are committed to practicing the best and safest efforts to keep the community safe when attending baseball games and other events at Harbor Park.
The steps outlined below are intended to protect our guests, employees, players, coaches, and training staff. We will continue to follow the guidance of local, regional, and national health and government agencies, and commit to developing policies and procedures for safely hosting various events at Harbor Park. The input of the Baltimore Orioles, Major League Baseball, and both local and regional health partners will play a significant role in informing the policies below, which may change and adapt as needed.
The Norfolk Tides COVID-19 plan was created with these principles in mind:
- Masking – Consistent with CDC and Virginia health official guidelines, the Tides no longer require guests to wear masks while visiting Harbor Park. No proof of vaccination will be required, and we will rely on our guests to make the right choice for their own safety and for the safety of others around them.
- Minimal Contact and Decreased Touch Points – Continually improving operational procedures to reduce guests’ exposure to surfaces, including strongly encouraged use of Mobile Tickets, digital-only Gameday Programs, encouraging cashless payments where possible throughout the ballpark.
- Sanitization – Making sure all areas of Harbor Park undergo enhanced cleaning and sanitizing before guests enter, following the protocols set by local, regional, and national health and government agencies.
Harbor Park Links
Fan Health & Safety
Harbor Park and the Norfolk Tides have implemented a series of health and sanitization policies and procedures for the safety of our fans, players and staff. These policies have been developed to align with the CDC, Major League Baseball and the State of Virginia/City of Norfolk Health Department guidelines.
Masking
Consistent with CDC and Virginia health official guidelines, the Tides no longer require guests to wear masks while visiting Harbor Park. No proof of vaccination will be required, and we will rely on our guests to make the right choice for their own safety and for the safety of others around them.
Mobile Ticketing
Mobile/Digital is strongly encouraged. Mobile/Digital ticketing provides a safe, convenient and secure way for fans to use and share game tickets. It also helps prevent lost, forgotten and fraudulent tickets and provides a contactless entry solution for all fans coming through the gates at Harbor Park.
Enhanced Cleaning
All high-traffic touchpoints within Harbor Park will be disinfected with increased frequency prior to, during and after events. Hand sanitizing stations for public and staff use have been added to high-traffic areas.
Modified Concessions
Credit and debit cards will be the preferred forms of payment accepted. All concessions locations will feature streamlined menu options in order to speed up service and minimize lines.
Hand Washing & Sanitization
Hand sanitizer will be liberally placed in easily accessible public areas and fans are encouraged to practice good hand hygiene. Employees will follow hand-hygiene practices and are required to wash hands frequently.
Not Feeling Well? Stay Home.
If you are experiencing a fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, or other symptoms that could be related to COVID-19, please stay home and we welcome you to join us again in the future.
Further detailed information concerning the Norfolk Tides COVID-19 Policies are listed below.
Norfolk Tides COVID-19 Policies Guide
Enhanced Safety Measures
Masks – Consistent with CDC and Virginia health official guidelines, the Tides no longer require guests to wear masks while visiting Harbor Park. No proof of vaccination will be required, and we will rely on our guests to make the right choice for their own safety and for the safety of others around them. Temporary masks will be available for guests who would like one upon arrival to the ballpark, or Tides-branded masks can be purchased for $10 at the Tides Team Store.
Hand Sanitizers – Will be located throughout Harbor Park, including at all entrances, Tides Team Store, and other key points of the ballpark.
Staff – All Norfolk Tides employees are required to screen themselves for COVID-19 symptoms prior to arrival. Employees exhibiting any symptoms will not be allowed to work and should seek medical attention. All staff will be instructed to wash or sanitize hands frequently.
Sanitization (Pregame) – Prior to guests entering Harbor Park, all surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected, including but not limited to: handrails, concrete floors and walls, ramps, restrooms, elevators, stairwells, furniture and fixtures, kiosks, credit card machines, concession ledges, trash/recycling containers, and other touchpoints.
Sanitization (During Game) – All touchpoints will be disinfected with increased frequency, including but not limited to: elevator buttons, water fountains, trash/recycling containers, tables, drink rails, concession ledges, ATMs, etc.
Sanitization (Postgame) – Once the ballpark is clear of guests, all areas will be thoroughly cleaned prior to the next game/event.
Harbor Park Entry & Exit
Parking – Entry to Harbor Park parking lots will remain the same.
Mobile Tickets – Mobile tickets are strongly encouraged. Fans can access and manage on their mobile devices, through the Tides Account Manager or the Ticketmaster App. For questions or concerns, please contact the Tides Ticket Office by phone at (757) 622-2222 or by email at [email protected]. For guests who are using mobile ticketing, the Tides highly recommend guests turn the screen brightness on their device to the brightest setting for easy entry. Guests can save their digital tickets to their device so you will be able to access them in the event that you don't have an internet connection, via the Apple Wallet or Google Pay. **Please note that screenshots of tickets are not valid and will not be accepted at Harbor Park. Please follow all transfer and storing guidelines to ensure entry.
Banned Items – A full list can be viewed at the Harbor Park Policies Page.
Exiting the Ballpark – At the end of the game, guests should exit the ballpark using the nearest exit point. All gates will be open to allow multiple ways for guests to exit safely and easily.
Once Inside Harbor Park
Restrooms – Individual restrooms on the Main Concourse, Suite Level, and Press Level will be cleaned and disinfected frequently. When appropriate for privacy, restroom doors will be propped open to encourage touchless entry/exit.
Game Entertainment & On-Field Promotions – Promotional activities will be continually evaluated and all MLB protocol for on-field activities will be strictly followed. Some activities may be temporarily suspended if deemed necessary to ensure the health and safety of all participants, players, and staff.
Player Autographs – Are temporarily suspended to limit contact, both inside and outside of Harbor Park.
Gameday Programs, Rosters, & Stats – Free scorecards will be available at the Smithfield Information Center and Tides Team Store behind homeplate on the main concourse. The Tides Official Gameday Program will be available to view on your mobile device (coming soon). The Tides active roster can be viewed here (April 6 through September 19).
Luxury Suites - Luxury suites are available for the 2022 season, with extremely limited availability. Please contact John Muszkewycz at 757-622-2222 Ext. 107 or email John.
Team Store – Tides Team Store will observe the following protocols:
- Guests will be encouraged to use hand sanitizer prior to entering the store. Hand sanitizer will be available at the checkout counter to utilize before and after each transaction and as needed.
- Credit Card is the preferred method of payment.
- Counters and other surfaces will be sanitized regularly.
Concessions
Concessions – The Norfolk Tides will work with concessions partner Spectra to ensure all ballpark and health standards are consistent. All surfaces will be disinfected prior to guests entering the ballpark, throughout the game/event as needed, and at the end of the game/event.
Food – No outside food or drink (with the exception of one sealed bottle of water per ticketed fan) is allowed in Harbor Park. All concessions locations will feature streamlined menu options in order to speed up service and minimize lines. Single-use straws and lids for drinks will not be provided unless requested.
Group Picnics, Patio Parties – Group Picnics and Patio Parties are available for the 2022 season. Please contact John Muszkewycz at 757-622-2222 Ext. 107 or email John.
Party Deck – Party Deck outings are available for the 2022 season. Please contact John Muszkewycz at 757-622-2222 Ext. 107 or email John.
Tides Landing – Tides Landing outings are available for the 2022 season. Please contact John Muszkewycz at 757-622-2222 Ext. 107 or email John.