Las Vegas Raiders to ask fans to provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination during home games

The vaccination mandate goes into effect on September 13, the date of the team’s first home game of the regular season, a Monday night showdown with the Baltimore Ravens. With the move, fans will be allowed to attend home games without wearing a mask, the statement said. The vaccine / no mask policy is the first of its kind in the NFL.

The Raiders moved from Oakland to Las Vegas last year to Allegiant Stadium, but no fans have been allowed to attend games due to the pandemic.

“Health and safety has always been our number one priority,” Raiders owner Mark Davis said in a statement. “After consultation with Governor Sisolak and other community leaders, this policy ensures that we can operate at full capacity without masks for fully vaccinated fans throughout the season. “

The new rule comes on the same day Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak announced new measures for major events in the state. Any event held in a venue of 4,000 or more may require masks for all attendees or grant masking exceptions for attendees who show proof of vaccination. Children under 12 and those who are partially vaccinated should always wear a mask indoors, he said.

“My goal with today’s new policy choice is to provide the private sector with more options with a reward for the public – the ability to remove their mask during a concert or game if it is completely. vaccinated, ”Sisolak said.

The vaccination mandate is just the latest example of the NFL using its massive influence to encourage Covid-19 vaccinations, which offer strong protection against serious disease and infection.

The league has given wide freedoms to vaccinated players while forcing unvaccinated people to undergo onerous restrictions and constant testing. Additionally, the NFL has said outbreaks among unvaccinated players could lead to forfeits and hurt teams’ playoff hopes.

The incentives worked. On Monday, the Atlanta Falcons became the first NFL team to have their entire roster vaccinated against Covid-19 – a perfect 100% vaccination rate, the team announced on Monday.

“Every player will now enjoy the benefits of being able to train and eat together,” the team explained on their website. “They won’t have to test daily, won’t have to wear masks around the facility, and won’t have to self-quarantine following close contact with someone who tests positive.”

Last week, the NFL told CNN that 91.7% of its players were vaccinated with 15 clubs having more than 95% vaccinated. The lowest club was at 73%, according to the league.

CNN’s Kevin Dotson contributed to this report.