Tennis has returned to New York with the US Open 2021, which starts on Monday, August 30. After not being allowed to enter the Billie Jean King National Center last year due to the pandemic, fans will be returning to the stadiums for this edition.
The US Open 2021 will welcome fans at the courts at full capacity. While, according to NYCgov.com, at least 58% of the population in New York is fully vaccinated, the spread of the Delta Variant has been a concern for health and government authorities.
At first, the USTA wasn’t going to implement any health protocols so fans would have attended the games without masks, testing or proof of vaccination. However, on Friday, city’s mayor Bill de Blasio urged the USTA to change its policy and now fans have to follow a list of requirements to attend the US Open. Here, check out the health and safety protocols for this tournament edition.
US Open 2021: Vaccination requirements for fans
On Friday, the US Open released a statement in which they announced that, in order to follow the recent updates of the NYC Executive Orders, all spectators, ages 12 and over, will have to show proof of at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine to attend matches. It will be accepted as proof:
- NYC COVID Safe App
- Excelsior Pass
- CDC Vaccination Card (or photo)
- NYC Vaccination Record
- An official immunization record from outside NYC or the U.S.
For now, proof of a negative Covid-19 test is not required and does not replace the vaccination requirement. On the other hand, masks are “recommended” in certain indoor locations but are not obligatory in the stadiums.
The requirements for fans to be vaccinated in order to enter the US Open have reignited the debate about werther the players, who are not obligated to be vaccinated, also have to follow these rules. For now, they are being tested at their arrival and every four days during the tournament.
