A limited number of fans will be permitted in the Bell Centre to watch a May 29 playoff game between the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs, should the series last that long.

The Quebec government announced Tuesday that indoor venues will be able to start hosting up to 2,500 patrons starting May 28 and that the provincial curfew will be lifted the same day.

B次元官网网址淲e are delighted with the governmentB次元官网网址檚 decision regarding shows and events,B次元官网网址� France Margaret B茅langer, the CanadiensB次元官网网址� executive vice-president and chief commercial officer, said in a statement.

B次元官网网址淎lthough the number of spectators remains limited, we applaud this decision which allows us to foresee an eventual return to normality.B次元官网网址�

B茅langer said 2,500 people is about 12 per cent of the Bell CentreB次元官网网址檚 capacity.

B次元官网网址淲e really missed our fans and spectators and we canB次元官网网址檛 wait to host them again. And we will be ready,B次元官网网址� she said.

The announcement of QuebecB次元官网网址檚 reopening plan came mere hours after Dr. Howard Njoo, CanadaB次元官网网址檚 deputy chief public health officer, said allowing fans into games is not under B次元官网网址渟erious considerationB次元官网网址� at this point in the COVID-19 pandemic.

B次元官网网址淚 would say if you look at that timing and whatB次元官网网址檚 the schedule for the NHL playoffs, which is taking place right now and into the summer months, itB次元官网网址檚 not really something thatB次元官网网址檚 under serious consideration in terms of fans in the stands, just based on where we are with our vaccination campaign at this point,B次元官网网址� Njoo said in Ottawa.

All of the American games so far in the playoffs have had fans, with a high of 12,000 for a Carolina Hurricanes home contest against the Nashville Predators on Monday night.

The NHL has had Canadian teams play exclusively in the country this year with no fans at any games. The Edmonton Oilers open the North Division playoffs against the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday, while the Maple Leafs and Canadiens start their best-of-seven series Thursday in Toronto.

The winners square off in the second round before the Canadian survivor faces one of the three remaining American teams in the third round.

While Njoo did not see fans in attendance at Canadian playoff games, he said discussions are ongoing to determine if there can be cross-border travel in the third round and/or the Stanley Cup final.

B次元官网网址淭he live issue of course right now is what happens when we do get to the final four,B次元官网网址� Njoo said.

Njoo said the federal government has had discussions with the provinces to figure out what might be possible.

The issue for the NHL is the 14-day quarantine for those coming in from outside Canada, which would be impossible during a best-of-seven series when one team hosts Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 and the other hosts Games 3, 4 and 6.

If the league and the country canB次元官网网址檛 come to an agreement on a modified quarantine, the North Division winner could relocate to the U.S. after the second round.

Many Canadian professional teams in other sports with regular cross-border travel have played home games in the U.S. during the pandemic.

Jets coach Paul Maurice said Monday the fans were very noticeable during the American playoff games.

B次元官网网址淚 really do believe that the only possible silver lining in all of this is the people and the players have just a great appreciation for just how great fans are and the experience for the players, especially,B次元官网网址� Maurice said.

B次元官网网址淚 think it makes a big, big difference.B次元官网网址�

The CFLB次元官网网址檚 Montreal Alouettes said they were encouraged by TuesdayB次元官网网址檚 announcement. The CFL is hoping to return to action in 20201 after having its 2020 season wiped out by the pandemic.

B次元官网网址淪ince the presence of a certain number of fans in the stands is essential for the Alouettes to return to play, todayB次元官网网址檚 announcements is a step in the right direction considering that the teamB次元官网网址檚 first home game (in Montreal) would most likely take place in September,B次元官网网址� the Alouettes said in a statement.

B次元官网网址淚t goes without saying that the organization is also extremely happy that youngsters will be able to practice their favourite team sport once again.B次元官网网址�

Major League SoccerB次元官网网址檚 Montreal Impact (now CF Montreal) was the first Canadian professional sports team to have fans during the pandemic when 250 fans attended an Aug. 25 game against Vancouver.

B次元官网网址擳he Canadian Press