Chicago Bears, city hold firm to no fans at Soldier Field for home opener against New York Giants

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago Bears and the city are holding firm to their decision not to allow fans at Soldier Field for at least the start of the football season.

The Bears announced in mid-August that they would not have fans in the stands due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

No fans allowed at Soldier Field at start of NFL season due to COVID-19

In a statement, the Bears said they worked with Soldier Field, the Chicago Park District and public health officials to determine whether a plan for fans that followed city, state, CDC and NFL guidelines could be developed to allow a limited number of fans at Bears games.

"After discussing the draft plan with city health officials, the Bears and the City of Chicago agreed the health metrics show that it is not the right time to welcome fans back to Soldier Field," the team said in a statement. "The health and safety of the city's residents and fans of the Bears will always take priority."

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the team reiterated that stance again on Friday.

"Having a conversation about throwing hundreds of people into a venue like Soldier Field when we are still seeing an uptick in cases is not responsible," Mayor Lightfoot said. "Now, it doesn't mean we can't plan for contingencies, but we've got to deal with the reality of where we are, which is in the middle of the fight of our lives with a pandemic."

Chicago Bears to take on Detroit Lions in 2020 NFL season opener

The Bears play the New York Giants in their home opener Sunday.