Vivint Arena, Utah Jazz to require proof of full vaccination or negative test

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Vivint Arena will require full proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to enter the facility for all events, including Utah Jazz home games.

The announcement was made Friday as part of their updated health and safety protocols.

According to a press release sent Friday morning, anyone over the age of 12 must present either proof of full vaccination or a negative coronavirus test, taking within 72 hours of the event’s start time.

The vaccination must have taken place at least 14 days before the event.

Guests under the age of 12 must wear a face mask. All other attendees will be strongly encouraged to wear a mask.

Proof of vaccination or a negative test must be presented at entry.

After an altered end of the 2019-2020 season because of coronavirus concerns, the Jazzed played the following season without a full crowd. After a gradual increase in the number of fans through the season, capacity was opened to 13,000 fans in time for the Jazz playoff run. A return to full capacity came after the Jazz secured their spot in the second round of the NBA Playoffs.

Officials said the new protocols would go into place on September 30 for the Frozen Fury NHL preseason game between the Vegas Golden Knights and LA Kings.

To gain entry to the event, attendees would have had to become fully vaccinated on Thursday, Sept. 16 – or must have a negative COVID-19 test after Monday, Sept. 27 after 8 p.m.

The Utah Jazz host their first 2021-2021 NBA preseason game on Monday, Oct. 11. The regular season home opener has been scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 20. Guests must be fully vaccinated by Wednesday, Oct. 6.

Masks were already required at Vivint Arena. Officials said the updated requirements were a response to the surge in positive cases and deaths in the state.

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“The delta variant is a threat to the sports and entertainment industry and our community at large,” said Jim Olson, president of Vivint Arena and the Utah Jazz. “We ask Jazz fans to get vaccinated to help stop the surge. We stand united with health care professionals on the importance of vaccinations. We believe this is the path forward to shut down this pandemic.”

Around 1.8 million guests attend sports and other events at the arena each year.

“As a community gathering place, we have a responsibility to protect our guests by putting health and safety standards in place,” said Olson.

While some fans were upset, others celebrate the news. Officials from the Salt Lake County Health Department said the decision could have some impact on vaccinations.

“I am a huge Jazz fan,” Bailey Neve told 2News. “I was born and raised in Utah my whole life.”

Last season, Neve had a lot to cheer for. The Jazz had the NBA’s best regular-season record and threatened to make a deep playoff run. Ultimately, they were eliminated in the second round.

“I only got to go to one playoff game, but I went to probably five or six regular season games,” said Neve.

Ahead of the start of Jazz preseason, he said he’s celebrating Vivint’s announcement.

“For my preference, it makes me extremely happy,” Neve said. “I think it’s really smart of Vivint and the Utah Jazz to take a stance on it to protect their employees and protect their guests. For me, as someone that really loves to go see games live, it really gives me peace of mind.”

He said he thinks the requirements aren’t too restrictive.

“I really love, too, that there’s the option for people who are uncomfortable getting vaccinated,” Neve said about the option to get a negative test. “I love that there’s the option to show a clean COVID test if vaccination is not the route you want to go.”

Season ticket holder Chris Taylor was not with the vaccine or negative test requirement, despite already being vaccinated himself.

“I also think if people do not want to get it, that’s their personal choice. Even if I disagree with it. To have an organization require me to show anything to enter a building, I just don’t understand why my medical condition is a requirement for entry to an NBA game,” he said.

County health department spokesperson Nicholas Rupp said the announcement could actually have some impact on vaccination numbers.

“We have found that vaccination mandates are not necessarily effective for people who are hardcore opposed to getting vaccinated,” he said. “That’s not likely to sway them. They’re going to choose the testing option instead.”

Rupp said it could make a difference for those who just haven’t gotten around to getting their vaccinations.

“What we have seen, anecdotally, is people who just haven’t made the time to go get vaccinated, that these types of mandates are effective in getting those folks who aren’t opposed to being vaccinated. They just haven’t gone and done it yet,” he said.

Taylor said he’s already dealt with two COVID-19 impacted seasons.

“I have season tickets in the upper bowl, and for most of the first half or two thirds of the season, it was lower bowl only. My seats weren’t available – not to mention the end of the previous season was just dropped, and we couldn’t go to any games,” he said.

Despite disagreeing with the requirements, Taylor said he’ll be back for more basketball.

“I will go to games. Like I said, I have the vaccine. I hope everyone gets a vaccine, because I don’t want the season to be canceled. I want to go to games,” he said.

Jazz senior vice president of communications Frank Zang said there will be an outer perimeter at the arena for guest services staff to check documentation before the security and ticketing entrance.

He said refund policies usually default back to the source of the tickets. Season ticket holders can call their account managers. Zang said the policy can be modified at any time as the coronavirus situation evolves.