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Hard Rock Stadium, Staples Center gain GBAC STAR accreditation

Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and Staples Center in Los Angeles are among the latest facilities to secure GBAC STAR accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC).

The accreditation provides third-party validation that venues and organisations are undertaking thorough cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention strategies. It comes as venues around the world are starting to draw up plans for the safe return of spectators amid the ongoing risks posed by COVID-19.

Hard Rock Stadium is home to the Miami Dolphins NFL American football team. Staples Center is home to the LA Clippers and LA Lakers NBA basketball teams, the LA Kings NHL ice hockey franchise, and the LA Sparks WNBA outfit.

Hard Rock Stadium was the first public facility to commit to securing the accreditation and successfully completed 20 programme elements with specific performance and guidance criteria to earn the accolade. It becomes the first GBAC Star-accredited NFL stadium.

Staples Center is the first NBA, NHL and WNBA arena to receive the accreditation. The arena opened 20 years ago and welcomes more than four million visitors annually.

Staples Center president Lee Zeidman said: “We know that when the time is right for our guests, athletes, artists, and our team members to experience the incredible energy within Staples Center again that our GBAC STAR accreditation demonstrates that we are taking the proper precautions to protect everyone once it is safe to host events again.

“We are honoured to be one of the first GBAC STAR-accredited arenas leading the way in maintaining cleanliness and continuing to make the safety of everyone our number one priority.”

GBAC executive director Patricia Olinger added: “With many facilities reopening around the world, they are eager to showcase their ongoing dedication to proper cleaning and safety protocols.

“We designed the GBAC STAR program to accredit facilities in weeks rather than months so that organisations can promote their achievement sooner and instil confidence among their visitors and employees.”

The Orange County Convention Center in Orlando and Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kansas have also secured GBAC STAR accreditation.

Image: Elmar78