San Jose's SAP Center will no longer require attendees to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test beginning Saturday.
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Sharks Sports and Entertainment announced on Monday that the venue will no longer require vaccine or test verification starting Saturday when the NHL's Sharks host the Dallas Stars.
On Friday, the California Department of Public Health's requirement will become a strong recommendation, with Santa Clara County health officials following the state's lead. Some SAP Center events can still choose to implement stricter entry requirements than the state after Friday, the organization said.
The Santa Clara County Department of Public Health confirmed to KCBS Radio a week ago it would align with the state’s recommendation. At the time, Sharks Sports and Entertainment – operators of the arena and owners of its primary tenant, the Sharks – told KCBS Radio the organization had “nothing firm” planned to align with the state.
The San Jose City Council voted on March 1 to repeal a January ordinance requiring proof of a negative test, vaccination or a booster to attend large indoor events at city-owned facilities, including SAP Center. Without a citywide ordinance, officials said attendees and event operators would have to follow federal, state or county requirements.
Mayor Sam Liccardo proposed repealing San Jose's booster mandate at city-owned buildings late last month, just one day after Sharks Sports and Entertainment President Jonathan Becher told reporters that coronavirus vaccine and mask mandates were "by far the biggest issue affecting attendance" at Sharks games this season.
The Sharks, who were 21st in the league on Monday and on the verge of missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs a third consecutive season for the first time in franchise history, averaged an announced attendance of 12,443 fans per game prior to publication. In six home games since Santa Clara County lifted its indoor mask mandate on March 2, the Sharks have had an announced average attendance of 13,428 fans.
California will no longer require vaccine or test verification as the omicron subvariant BA.2, which is driving another surge of cases in Europe and is the world’s dominant coronavirus strain, is expected to become the most prominent strain in the U.S. as states, counties and cities lift mitigation measures.
BA.2 is more contagious, but less virulent, than the omicron variant, and experts have warned of the risk of infection for people who have received booster shots. According to Santa Clara County data, 53.3% of all residents – and 69.2% of those eligible for an additional dose – were boosted as of Monday. More than 85% were fully vaccinated.
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