LSU was the first school in the SEC to require proof that a student has been vaccinated or had a negative COVID-19 screening in order to gain entry to Tiger Stadium. LSU announced Friday that the protocol will be lifted in time to allow the football team to play Florida at home on Oct. 16.
The school stated that it has reduced the number of infections in Baton Rouge as well as statewide and will eliminate game-day testing, fast-pass preverification, and any other entrance-related procedures.
Outdoor locations will not require masks for children under 12 years of age.
All guests are required to wear masks indoors, as per state and campus guidelines.
"The COVID-19 rates have fallen dramatically in Louisiana over the past couple of weeks and today the state has an positivity rate below 5 percent," Dr. Catherine O'Neal (chief medical officer at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital, Baton Rouge) said in a statement. She is also a member of the SEC's Return to Activity and Medical Guidance Task Force. We are now able to waive the testing and vaccine requirements that were required for Tiger Stadium entry. We can help our community to be safe and celebrate the traditions that unites us by balancing risk and mitigation in the ongoing fight against the pandemic.
Scott Woodward, LSU athletic director, thanked fans for their support of the Tigers and for helping to stop the spread.
He said, "Their commitment has never wavered to protecting our community as well as supporting our student-athletes." "We are fully committed to making sure that every guest has a safe and enjoyable gameday experience. We will continue to work closely with university leaders and rely on medical experts to make sure we take reasonable precautions to protect our community's health.
According to the statement hospitalizations have fallen by 80% in the last seven weeks.
O'Neal stated, "This is an amazing step forward." "But it is not over. The virus will return and Louisiana must prepare by getting vaccinated. We have safe and effective vaccines, so getting vaccinated will help us defeat COVID-19.
LSU suffered its second defeat of the season against Auburn last weekend and will travel to No. Saturday, 16 Kentucky
