Cavaliers Join COVID Craze: Mandate Masks For Fans 2 And Older

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Planning to watch the resurgent Cleveland Cavaliers in person this winter? Better bring a mask. On Thursday afternoon the team released a statement via email and social media, stating that they will be requiring attendees ages 2 and older to wear masks.

The mask mandate isn't exclusive to Cavaliers games: it's being made a requirement for all events at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland's home arena, beginning this Friday.






For now, the team is labeling the mask mandate as "temporary." Per the Cavaliers' statement: "Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse will now require that all fans (ages 2 and over) attending events, including Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Monsters games, wear a mask that covers both mouth and nose when inside the venue and in their seats unless actively eating or drinking..." because as we all know, COVID is the most polite of all viruses, always pausing to allow fans a bite of a pretzel or swig of a beer.

The statement continued: "The decision to implement the requirement is a result of continued monitoring of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in Cuyahoga County and throughout the country in conjunction with close consultation with local health experts. The mask requirement is currently scheduled to be in effect through January 31, 2022."

Though the team and arena is mandating masks (except when eating, drinking or sharing a basketball and court with nine other sweaty individuals), they are not yet committing fully to having fans in attendance provide proof of vaccination or a negative test. "In addition to the mask requirement, individual outside event promoters may require further protocols at their discretion, such as proof of vaccine or a negative COVID test," read the team's statement. "Ticketed guests will receive a direct email communication that outlines the specific health and safety protocols for the event they are attending."

Cleveland's mask mania will commence tomorrow night during a New Year's Eve home tilt with the Hawks. Talk about dropping the ball...

 










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Anthony is a former high school basketball intramural champion who played a leading role in creating two offspring. He spends his weekends hoping for an MTV Rock N' Jock revival. Follow him on X (@OhioAF).