LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers could make room for more fully-vaccinated fans when they open their next homestand on May 11.
Two sections on the Loge Level were opened to vaccinated fans for Saturday’s game against the San Diego Padres. The sections (approximately 500 seats) required fans to show proof they had been vaccinated and cleared the two-week waiting period required. Masks were still required but fans in the sections were not socially distanced.
The sections sold out and Dodgers team president Stan Kasten said the expectation is that more sections will be opened for vaccinated fans in May.
“It’s an experiment,” Kasten said before Saturday’s game. “We are anticipating it going smoothly. If that is the case, we expect to expand the program, maybe by the next homestand, and have many more sections.
“We consider this one more marker on the road back to normal. That is our hope. Every one of these things that we can pull off gets a little closer to what the governor has pointed to as a full return to normal in June. Now, a lot of things have to come true. But that is certainly what we are all hoping for.”
To purchase a ticket in the sections, fans have to sign a form saying they meet the vaccination requirements and then show proof of that vaccination along with a photo ID when they arrive at the ballpark. The Padres and Giants have had similar programs at some of their home games.
“I think tonight will finally give some people who were hesitant before the opportunity to finally come to the stadium and be more comfortable because they know they will be in sections where everyone is vaccinated,” Kasten said.
Fans in the section can access the rest of the stadium the same as every other fan and masks are required at all times. With no social distancing requirement in the vaccination section, however, the Dodgers can increase the overall number of fans in the stadium for games. So far this season, approximately 15,000 fans have been allowed in for home games.
“The six-foot distance remains and that’s a geometry problem,” Kasten said of the county’s requirements as the coronavirus rates progress from the red to orange to yellow tier. “We’re allowed 33 percent right now but we are only selling 27 percent because the six-foot distancing makes reaching 33 percent impossible. So the only way to get our numbers up is to have sections where there is no distancing. So the more of this we can do the better.”
Kasten said he didn’t know yet how many sections might be included when the program is expanded. But he anticipates there will be sections on multiple levels of the stadium and they will be available at every home game.
“I don’t know why we wouldn’t. That’s our goal,” he said. “Obviously we want as many people in here as possible as quickly as possible.”I’m anticipating this going very smoothly. A lot of people have spent a lot of time preparing for this.”
85 PERCENT
MLB and the players’ union have encouraged players and staff to get vaccinated by offering to loosen the health and safety restrictions once 85 percent of Tier 1 personnel have been fully vaccinated. Tier 1 personnel includes players, coaches and staff that needs to be in daily contact with players.
Kasten said the Dodgers are “actually very, very close if not over it (the 85 percent threshold) already.”
“Remember, you also need a couple weeks after a second shot. So we’re going to get there, we feel confident. … I would think (in the next couple weeks).”
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