The Winnipeg Jets will not be playing in an empty arena on Wednesday.

Five hundred fully vaccinated healthcare workers could be present for this and next Wednesday's games against the Montreal Canadiens.

The Winnipeg Jets say up to 500 fans will be in the arena for Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup series Round 2.

A spokesperson for the province could not share more information on COVID-19 safety plans but says more details are coming.

"We can confirm that, for the first time in over a year, a very limited number of fans will be present to cheer on the Winnipeg Jets tomorrow night. More details will be announced soon, but the province is pleased that some very deserving Manitobans will be at BellMTS Place as the Jets take on the Montreal Canadiens."

Premier Brian Pallister announced Tuesday the next Jet's game could see some filled seats.

"I think there will be fans. A small number, a few in the next Jets game," Pallister says in a press conference Tuesday afternoon.

The Premier did not say at the time who could be in the stands when the Montreal Canadiens play on the Jet's home ice.

"I know they will safe, I know they will be careful. And I know they will follow public health rules."

The last time there were fans at BellMTS Place for a Winnipeg Jets game was over a year ago, on March 9, 2020. Winnipeg saw its first confirmed COVID-19 case on March 12.

"Dancing Gabe" Langlois, a Winnipeg sports superfan, was in an audience of two, the other being mascot Mick E. Moose, in February at a Jets game.

"I think we should take that as a sign of some small amount of optimism that we can start to get our lives back here in Manitoba," Pallister says.

Currently, gatherings both indoors and outdoors are not allowed in the Public Health Orders. For this to occur, they will need to be amended. Public Health has not yet made an announcement on this.

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