United Center to require vaccination for games originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

It’s official, Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks fans will need to show proof of vaccination to attend games at the United Center.

On Tuesday, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that proof of vaccination will be required for indoor public spaces, including sports arenas, so this announcement was expected.

The United Center’s new policy begins Jan. 3, the day the City of Chicago’s new “vaccine requirements” for indoor public spaces go into effect.

The new policy of the arena reflects that of the city. Fans aged 5 and over must show proof of full vaccination. Fans 16 and over will also need to provide ID that matches their vaccination record. And the mask mandate is also still in effect.

Vaccination evidence is not entirely new to the United Center. Prior to the start of the current NBA and NHL seasons, the United Center required anyone attending events in the arena to present either proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test in order to enter the arena. site. At the time, proof of vaccination was only an option for customers over the age of 11.

A negative COVID-19 test will no longer be enough to enter the arena.

Non-resident professional athletes are exempt from the policy.

Chicago becomes the latest city to issue proof of vaccination requirements, following New York and Los Angeles. And the inner mask mandate remains in effect.

“Despite our diligent and equitable vaccine distribution efforts throughout this year, unfortunately, our city continues to see an increase in cases of COVID-19 Delta and now Omicron,” Lightfoot said in a statement. “Further measures must be taken to protect the health and well-being of our residents. This public health order requiring proof of vaccination to visit certain indoor public places is a necessary measure so that we can continue to enjoy our city’s many amenities as we enter the new year.”

Many Bulls and Blackhawks games have already been suspended this season as COVID-19 cases rise across the leagues. The NHL has suspended its season until after Christmas.

The Blackhawks had three games suspended in December. The Bulls have had two games suspended, and a third against the Toronto Raptors could be in jeopardy as players from both teams enter health and safety protocols.

“This new requirement will not eliminate the risk of COVID, but it will help ensure a much safer indoor environment for fully immunized Chicagoans, as well as employees working in these high-risk environments. As we head into the winter months, we need to take this step now,” Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said in a statement. “With Omicron, I expect to see many more COVID reinfections and breakthrough cases, but fortunately vaccines continue to protect very well against serious illness, hospitalization and death, and even more so when people have also received a booster shot. I remain very concerned for the hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans who have yet to receive a single dose of the COVID vaccine or recover from COVID infection. I am concerned for their own health, but also for the risk they pose to the health of others and to our hospital capacity – and while we are in this worrying wave, we must limit this risk.

The Canadian province of Ontario has reduced the capacity of sports venues by 50% following the spike in the omicron variant. This new rule came into effect on December 18.

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The 2021 edition of the MLB World Series, which sees the American League and National League champions go head-to-head for the Commissioner’s Trophy, starts Tuesday, October 26 at 8:09 p.m. ET.

The annual event will be Pit the Houston Astros against the Atlanta Braves after Team Houston dispatched the Boston Red Sox in Game 6 of the AL Championship Series and the Braves defeated the Dodgers to surprisingly claim the NL pennant.

After MLB opted for a 16-team postseason in 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic, this season’s format has returned to normal, with its usual 10 teams battling to reach the best of seven World Series.

With hours to go, many fans are still wondering what will be the schedule to follow the event.

The astros dominate the polls

While the The Astros’ qualification for the World Series took no one by surprise, having reached Game 6 of the ALCS with a 3-2 lead over the Boston Red Sox, few backed the Braves to advance to the final game. Atlanta was still the second favorite to advance in their epic game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

the The astros are highly anticipated to win the 2021 World Series according to BetMGM, Houston is favored at -145, while the Braves stay at +120 to win. One of the strongest arguments for this is the fact that Houston will have home-court advantage in this year’s event.

World Series Schedule

tuesday october 26

Game 1: Atlanta Braves at Houston Astros, 8:09 p.m. ET.

Wednesday October 27

Game 2: Atlanta Braves at Houston Astros, 8:09 p.m. ET.

Thursday, October 28

travel day

friday october 29

Game 3: Houston Astros at Atlanta Braves, 8:09 p.m. ET.

Saturday October 30

Game 4: Houston Astros at Atlanta Braves, 8:09 p.m. ET.

Sunday October 31

Game 5: Houston Astros at Atlanta Braves, 8:15 p.m. ET.

monday november 1

travel day

tuesday november 2

Game 6: Atlanta Braves at Houston Astros, 8:09 p.m. ET.

Wednesday, November 3

Game 7: Atlanta Braves at Houston Astros, 8:09 p.m. ET.