By Andy Yamashita
Seattle Times staff reporter
Less than two months after the return of full-capacity crowds at Seattle-area sporting events, the rise of the COVID-19 delta variant has forced the return of restrictions to arenas and stadiums.
“The delta variant has kind of changed the rules of the game a little bit for all of us after kind of expecting we were turning a corner for us last spring,” said Dr. Janet Baseman, a professor at the University of Washington’s epidemiology department.
On Aug. 18, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee brought back a statewide mask mandate and required COVID-19 vaccinations for staff at public, private and charter schools as Washington hospitals struggle with a shortage of health-care workers.
Inslee’s mask mandates also apply to Washington’s sports teams, which welcomed back full-capacity crowds when the state reopened June 30. On Aug. 18, the Seahawks implemented new regulations in accordance with the mask mandate.
In a team statement, the Seahawks announced they were strongly recommending that fans attending their Aug. 21 preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Lumen Field wear masks regardless of vaccinations status. Additionally, following Inslee’s mask mandate, masks will be required in indoor areas of the stadium.
Seattle Times staff reporter
Less than two months after the return of full-capacity crowds at Seattle-area sporting events, the rise of the COVID-19 delta variant has forced the return of restrictions to arenas and stadiums.
“The delta variant has kind of changed the rules of the game a little bit for all of us after kind of expecting we were turning a corner for us last spring,” said Dr. Janet Baseman, a professor at the University of Washington’s epidemiology department.
On Aug. 18, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee brought back a statewide mask mandate and required COVID-19 vaccinations for staff at public, private and charter schools as Washington hospitals struggle with a shortage of health-care workers.
Inslee’s mask mandates also apply to Washington’s sports teams, which welcomed back full-capacity crowds when the state reopened June 30. On Aug. 18, the Seahawks implemented new regulations in accordance with the mask mandate.
In a team statement, the Seahawks announced they were strongly recommending that fans attending their Aug. 21 preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Lumen Field wear masks regardless of vaccinations status. Additionally, following Inslee’s mask mandate, masks will be required in indoor areas of the stadium.
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