File photo by Nathan Mayberg Red Sox General Manager Chaim Bloom made a big trade by dealing outfielder Andrew Benintendi to the Kansas City Royals this month.

While pitchers and catchers began reporting for spring training at the Boston Red Sox camp Thursday for spring training, it was a sign that life is still far from normal during the COVOD-19 pandemic.

Due to the pandemic, fans and media are not yet allowed at JetBlue Park, where approximately $1.7 million in repairs have been done over the past year by Lee County.

On the field, things will be anything but normal.

Over the past month, the Red Sox sent once-prized leftfielder Andrew Benintendi to the Kansas City Royals, veteran second baseman Dustin Pedroia retired and southpaw Chris Sale was put on the disabled list as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

The team will have a new manager, Alex Cora, who has returned after parting ways with the team before the 2020 season over the cheating scandal from his time with the Houston Astros. Last year, they finished at the bottom of the American League East Division with a 24-36 record, one game behind the Baltimore Orioles.

The team has sold out its stadium every year since moving to JetBlue Park and so tickets will be hard to come by this spring, with seating being limited to 24% capacity. Tickets will only be available through online purchase. Season ticket holders will have the first chance at tickets for games though additional seats could become available.

Fans will not be allowed to attend the park for workouts.

According to the team, all fans will be issued a digital ticket through MLB’s Ballpark App, and parking pass sales will be available online. Entry to JetBlue Park will include contactless ticket scanning. All bags are prohibited, with limited exceptions to accommodate medical needs and diaper bags. No food and beverage sales will be conducted in the seating bowl.

The team’s first game will be at Hammond Stadium against the Twins on Feb. 28. Their first home game will be March 1 against the Braves. 

Face coverings are required in all areas of JetBlue Park for both staff and guests ages 2 and up, with limited exceptions for those actively eating or drinking in their ticketed seat location. In addition to having at least six feet between ticketed fans in the seating bowl, buffer zones will be created around the dugouts and bullpens to eliminate direct access to player areas (autographs are not permitted). Medical teams will be on site at all times and a dedicated isolation area will be available for fans experiencing potential COVID-19 symptoms.

Information about JetBlue Park fan safety protocols and procedures for the 2021 exhibition season can be found at redsox.com/healthandsafety