LOS ANGELES, CA – The Laker’s season has started, and Staples Center is at full capacity. However, there are some new safety precautions that will be implemented starting in November. To keep fans safe, Staples center is now requiring proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the event. Laker’s fan, Zwannah Dukuly spoke about why he supports the mandate, “it’s really important to kind of steer people in this direction to kind of turn back to some kind of normalcy.”
Photo Credit: AP PHOTO/JAE C. HONG
Fans line up in front of the arena and prepare their documents as they enter. Security checks to see a vaccination card or a negative test and compare it to the person’s ID. Educator and Lakers fan, Asia Guillory spoke about how she feels even with the mandates, “at this time during a pandemic, I mean we’re all aware the vaccine is not going to stop us from actually catching the virus, but I do feel safer, but of course, I still do wear my mask anyway.”
Staples Center also reminds fans that they need to continue wearing approved face masks when they are not eating or drinking. The Arena also has a testing COVID-19 site on-site if fans did not show up with a negative test or a vaccination card. You would go to the corner of Chick Hearn and Georgia to be tested. It is a 15-minute rapid antigen test.
These new regulations are a direct result of the L.A. County Department of Public Health’s recent guidelines. The County is requiring these guidelines for all events with at least 10,000 guests.
Zwannah Dukuly continued and spoke why he thinks Staples Center is being so strict, “they’re trying to do their best to try to make sure that everyone can be here and have fun in a safe environment, I think it’s probably the best way to do it.”
Not only do fans need to abide by these rules, but so do the athletes. The NBA is requiring all teams to comply with their local mandates. Although, the players for the opposing NBA team do not have to abide by the same rules. An unvaccinated player on the opposing team can still play at Staples Center.
By Brenna White
With contributions from ABC7, ESPN, NBA
Photo, Associated Press
Video, NBA
Video, Brenna White
Audio, Brenna White
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