COVID-19 safety protocols at Vivint Arena are changing

Salt Lake City, Utah — Effective Feb. 25, 2022, COVID-19 safety protocols at Vivint Arena are changing. Proof of vaccination or a negative test will no longer be required for Utah Jazz games.

The lifting of restrictions for Jazz games comes nearly two years after the pandemic first began.

According to Doug Solomon, the director of operations for the company that owns the establishment, HallPass Foodhall in the Gateway gets Jazz fans all the time.

The Jazz pull a lot of weight as community leaders, Solomon said.

“And taking a stand and saying we’re going to go back to normal, we’re ready to go full send on it,” he said. “I think it’s going to send a great message to the community and get people out and about. I think it’s great.”

During the pandemic, The Jazz have had a rigorous testing and safety policy.

In a Tweet Tuesday evening, Gov. Spencer Cox called the move “great news”.

Some people might not be ready for a move like this, but those in the hospitality business said they’ve adapted to survive in this COVID-19 world.

“We’re not in the business of public health, but we are in the business of making sure people do stay safe when they come and dine at our establishment and that they are comfortable enough to have a good time,” Solomon said.

An NBA rule requires masks for people in designated areas surrounding the court, but the lifting of everything else is a next step of returning to normal.

“At the end of the day, their success is our success and vice versa, the success of Salt Lake City comes when everybody buys in,” Solomon said.

The Feb. 25 start date is because the Jazz don’t play a home game for 10 days thanks to the NBA All-Star Break.