WrestleMania 36 still on for now ... but stay tuned

WrestleMania 36 is not a coronavirus casualty, at least not yet.

The Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group, including Sheriff Chad Chronister and county administrator Mike Merrill, decided Thursday not to call off the annual sports entertainment spectacle, set for April 5 at Raymond James Stadium.

But the group could reconsider, based on how the virus progresses ― or dissipates ― in a week.

The group unanimously approved a seven-day local state of emergency for Hillsborough County, but that doesn’t affect WrestleMania. The decision follows Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recommendation that cities and counties should postpone or cancel any mass gatherings over the next 30 days in an effort to limit the spread of coronavirus in Florida.

If a mass gathering is not canceled, event organizers should have screening measures in place to prevent people who have been exposed to the virus from entering, he said.

The group’s decision arrived in the wake of a widespread North American sports shutdown amid the spread of the virus (COVID-19).

The NBA, NHL have suspended their seasons for the time being, and Major League Baseball is expected to follow suit. Earlier Thursday, the men’s basketball tournaments in every major NCAA conference were called off, some while games were going on.

The NCAA Division I men’s and women’s tournaments ― aka March Madness ― are expected to be canceled or postponed.

For now, PGA Tour events including next week’s Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort, are set to be held, albeit without fans in attendance.