The New Orleans Saints are planning to have full capacity at games this upcoming season, but there'll be a few hurdles to clear on the way to filling the Caesars Superdome.
To attend the games, fans will be required to provide proof of vaccination in some form, or a negative test for COVID-19 taken within 72 hours of the game. The team announced the rules Thursday afternoon, which go in lockstep with regulations put in place by both the city of New Orleans and state of Louisiana.
Masks will also be required to be worn by fans in attendance at all times, unless eating or drinking. New Orleans mayor Latoya Cantrell was expected to announce similar policies city-wide Thursday afternoon.
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"We are committed to doing everything we can in the current environment to protect your health and safety while at the same time providing the best game day experience in the NFL," said the team in a news release. "Our team has been blessed with the greatest home field advantage in sports because we have the most committed, resilient and passionate fans in the world. We understand some will be frustrated, as are we that we find ourselves in this position. We, as a community, have overcome so much in our history and come back stronger every time. Together, we can defeat this virus and return to living, celebrating and winning in the way we always have. We need you in that number- both on game day and in defeating this virus."
The mask policies are along the same lines as those instituted during the 2020 season, which allowed fans into games later in the season at a significantly reduced capacity. Proof of vaccination can be shown with a physical card or a digital version.
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The Saints host their first game action in Week 2 of the preseason when they welcome the Jacksonville Jaguars on Aug. 23. While there is no set end date for vaccination or mask regulations, the team expressed optimism they could be rolled back as the season progresses if vaccination rates continue to increase and infection rates head the opposite direction. The Saints and Ochsner Health will also be hosting vaccination events on gamedays at the Superdome and around the region.
The news comes as the latest surge of the coronavirus pandemic, spurred by the Delta variant, has again put a heavy strain on the state's health systems. As of Aug. 12, there were 2,901 people hospitalized for coronavirus throughout the state, with 386 on ventilators. Of those hospitalized, 91% were unvaccinated, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.