As Major League Baseball looks ahead to an uncertain 2021, the league has announced that it does not plan to make fans prove that they’ve been vaccinated or had a negative COVID-19 test before entering a stadium.
In a memo from the league that was sent to teams this week and obtained by the Los Angeles Times, the league outlined minimum health and safety standards for the 2021 season.
The league will leave it up to teams whether to they’ll require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. Temperature checks will also be at the teams’ discretion.
“Mass testing of this kind is not practical with the existing rapid testing options, and testing is of limited utility when done days in advance of an event,” The league said in the memo, noting that its guidance could change in the event of “any major advancement in testing technology.”
The memo also cited the uncertainty of the COVID-19 vaccine supply and suggested that if teams are going to require fans be vaccinated, the teams should seek legal counsel before doing so.
MLB also thinks that state and local authorities will require “pod” seating at least for the start of the season. This would entail tickets be sold in a “pod” or group that are at least six feet apart.
The league will also require masks be worn in all stadiums except when fnas are eating or drinking at their seats.
