MLB Won't Require Testing Or Temperature Checks For Fans

Major League Baseball will allow fans to attend games in 2021 without proof that they've tested negative for COVID-19 or that they have been vaccinated, according to a memo obtained by the Los Angeles Times.

Nor will fans be required to take temperature tests before entering the stadium, which the MLB required fans to do to attend some postseason games last year. However, it appears teams could decide to implement their own guidelines when it comes to temperature tests.

Per the memo, the MLB will continue to require fans to wear masks and practice social distancing when entering the ballpark and while inside.

In a memo sent to teams Monday and obtained by the Los Angeles Times, the league outlined what it called its “minimum health and safety standards” for the 2021 season. The league noted that state and local authorities could mandate more restrictive standards and that all policies are subject to change as the public health situation in the United States changes.

"Mass testing of this kind is not practical with the existing rapid testing options, and testing is of limited utility when done days in advance of an event," the memo explained.

Baseball did leave itself open to changing the current guidelines, should there be “any major advancement in testing technology.”

A limited number of fans were in attendance for the 2020 World Series and National League championship series in Arlington, Texas. MLB did not require temperature checks for those games.

"Since rapid testing isn’t widely available, and the vaccine rollout around the country has been disastrous at best, MLB doesn’t believe it’s feasible to require fans to obtain either before attending a game," wrote Liz Roscher of Yahoo Sports.