Jazz Will Continue Mask Mandate Beyond April 10
Apr 5, 2021, 1:24 PM | Updated: 1:32 pm
Vivint Smart Home Arena partially filled with Utah Jazz fans (Photo: Ben Anderson/KSL Sports)
(Photo: Ben Anderson/KSL Sports)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The state of Utah may be ending its mask mandate on April 10, but the Jazz won’t be. According to a release sent by the team, the Jazz plan to keep their mask mandate in place beyond the state requirement set to elapse later this week.
The Jazz currently allow 5,600 fans inside Vivint Arena during the team’s home games and have a strict mask requirement for fans in the building watching the team.
“The Utah Jazz and Vivint Arena announced today the continued requirement of wearing masks at home games and all facility events as a health and safety protocol against COVID-19, even after the scheduled April 10 lifting of a statewide mask mandate,” the release read.
The @utahjazz are increasing the fan capacity at Vivint Arena to 5,600 starting Friday night against the Houston Rockets. #TakeNote https://t.co/dccXlLHrvV
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) March 11, 2021
“Face masks over the nose and mouth are required for guests and staff (age 2+) throughout the arena unless a person is actively eating or drinking. Compliance with mandatory masks aligns with the safety measures established by the NBA and local health officials for mass gatherings.”
But those aren’t the only safety requirements the Jazz have in place to protect those inside the building on game nights.
“Other COVID-19 procedures will remain in place, including health screenings, socially distanced seating arrangements, contactless entry with digital tickets, cashless transactions for concessions and merchandise, and reduced capacity in common spaces.”
The Jazz are one of the few teams in the NBA that hasn’t had to postpone a game this season due to contact training policies within their own locker room. The team did have to reschedule a meeting with the Washington Wizards earlier this season after the Wizards were unable to dress the league-minimum eight players ahead of game time.
📓| Home games at @vivintarena will be played with a limited number of fans when the NBA season begins amid a series of enhanced health and safety measures implemented throughout the building in consultation with the Utah Department of Health.
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) November 24, 2020
“We continue to prioritize the health and safety of our fans, employees and players,” Jazz President Jim Olson said. “We are pleased that fans have been able to attend games since December in a limited capacity with incremental increases. While progress is being made with ongoing vaccinations, we are staying the course to maintain a safe and comfortable environment and will adjust our plans as public health conditions improve.”
There are 12 home games remaining for the Jazz before the postseason beginning in mid-May. The Jazz currently own the best record in the NBA at 38-11.
