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SALT LAKE CITY — If you want to watch the Utah Jazz live this season, you'll need to be vaccinated — or be able to prove you're healthy.
The Jazz announced Friday that all guests 12 and over will be required to show proof of full vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test in order to enter Vivint Arena this season.
Guests under the age of 12 will be required to wear a mask at all times while inside the venue. All other guests are "strongly encouraged" to wear a face covering.
"As a community gathering place, we have a responsibility to protect our guests by putting health and safety standards in place," said Jim Olson, president of Vivint Arena and the Utah Jazz. "The delta variant is a threat to the sports and entertainment industry and our community at large."
The new requirement will be for all Vivint Arena events, including concerts and special performances, and will begin with the NHL preseason matchup on Sept. 30 between the Las Vegas Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings.
A person is considered "fully vaccinated" 14 days after they received the final dose of an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccination. Fans will have to show one of the following proofs of vaccination:
- A CDC-issued vaccination card including the name of the person vaccinated, the type of vaccination provided and the date that the last dose was administered
- A digital photo of a CDC-issued vaccination card stored on a phone or electronic device
- A printed photo of a CDC-issued vaccination card
Fans who are not vaccinated will have to show a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the event.
"I am happy the Utah Jazz are taking the safety of their fans, staff, and players seriously," said Dr. Leisha Nolen, state epidemiologist at the Utah Department of Health. "The use of vaccinations, testing, and masks are all parts of a layered approach we have encouraged throughout the state. We welcome efforts by businesses to operate their events in a safe manner during this time of high transmission of COVID-19."
