We asked Warriors, 49ers, Giants, A’s, Sharks whether they’re considering proof of vaccination rule – SFGate

On Wednesday, the NHL's Winnipeg Jets announced they will only allow fans who show proof of vaccination to attend games at Canada Life Centre this season. (Children under 12 are exempt.) Various other pro sports teams have dabbled with proof of vaccination rules, but they've been closer to recommendations than requirements, and with built-in exceptions for unvaccinated folks who are willing to wear a mask or show a recent negative COVID-19 test.

The Jets' policy shift comes as other venues indoors and outdoors, big and small are rapidly shifting to a proof of vaccination attendance plan because of the highly transmissible delta variant of COVID-19. And on Thursday, San Francisco became the second major city in the United States to require that people are screened for proof of COVID-19 vaccination before entering "high-contact indoor sectors."

With all of that in mind and with the necessary caveat that COVID-19 transmissibility remains far higher indoors than outside SFGATE reached out to five of the Bay Area's biggest sports teams to see whether they, too, are considering a proof of vaccination requirement. Here's what the Warriors, A's, Giants, 49ers and Sharks said (and didn't say).

The Dubs released the following statement about their new proof of vaccination policy, as required by the San Francisco Department of Public Health:

"The Golden State Warriors and Chase Center have remained in constant communication with the City and County of San Franciscos Department of Public Health throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic. Following todays mandate from the San Francisco Department of Public Health that any indoor event with more than 1,000 attendees requires fans ages 12 or older to show proof of vaccination, Chase Center will comply with this guideline effective as of the venues next event, scheduled for September 15, 2021.

"Consistent with the health order of the San Francisco Department of Public Health and subject to applicable medical and religious exemptions, proof of a negative COVID-19 test will no longer serve as an accepted health pass for fans to enter Chase Center. The Golden State Warriors and Chase Center will issue further information regarding logistics for fans to show proof of vaccination leading up to the venues next event, scheduled for September 15, 2021."

Presumably, the Warriors are figuring out how to best enforce a proof of vaccination system that doesn't significantly bog down entry into their arena.

No imminent changes for the A's. They're deferring to Alameda County Public Health Department guidelines, "which currently don't require proof of vaccination for outdoor events," an A's spokesperson told SFGATE.

Like the Warriors, the Giants play in San Francisco, but in an outdoor ballpark, so they aren't beholden to the city's new regulations. Which doesn't mean San Francisco Mayor London Breed or local health officials are ambivalent about what they believe the Giants should do. In the mayor's press release, she noted, "Sponsors of outdoor events with more than 5,000 people attending are strongly urged to require proof of vaccination for patrons and staff."

But for now, the Giants will be carrying on without a full proof-of-vaccination requirement, though they'll have to make a few alterations for around-the-ballpark destinations. A spokesperson told SFGATE that proof of vaccination must be shown at Public House and the ritzy Gotham Club, for instance. "Fans are also required to wear face coverings when accessing indoor parts of the park e.g. Club Level and Suite Level walkways, concessions and restrooms," the spokesperson added.

At this time, the 49ers are not requiring fans to show proof of vaccination.

"Our stadium management team will continue to follow the current health and safety requirements implemented by local and state public health officials," a spokesperson told SFGATE. "In addition, all 49ers full-time and gameday staff are required to be fully vaccinated in order to work in Levis Stadium and in the SAP Performance Facility. We are thankful to see reports showing nearly 80% of county residents have been vaccinated and we will continue to encourage eligible individuals to get their shots, more than 350,000 of which took place at Levis Stadium."

In a statement to SFGATE, the Sharks left the door open to a change of policy, but so far aren't joining their NHL competitors in Winnipeg with a proof of vaccination requirement.

"Sharks Sports & Entertainment (SSE) has instituted a mandatory vaccination requirement for all full and part-time employees, including arena event staff for all SAP Center events," a spokesperson wrote to SFGATE. "Currently, all ticket buyers are required to self-attest to either a) being full vaccinated or b) being able to produce a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their ticketed event. SSE continues to engage in further discussions related to potential additional safety measures at SAP Center events, in conjunction with local and state health directives."

So there you have it: One Bay Area sports organization, the Warriors, now has no choice but to comply with a proof of vaccination requirement. Four other Bay Area franchises are indicating they'll carry on without such a requirement unless and until their local health departments tell them otherwise.

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We asked Warriors, 49ers, Giants, A's, Sharks whether they're considering proof of vaccination rule - SFGate