The Buffalo Bills have three games remaining on their regular season schedule, with two of those games being played at Buffalo’s home stadium in Orchard Park, New York.
The Bills are 12th in the NFL in average attendance per game, but the updated requirements for entering Highmark Stadium will make it slightly more difficult for Buffalo to sell out the two remaining home games.
On Wednesday, the Bills announced that any fan 5-11 years old will be required to provide proof of at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in order to enter the stadium.
“In accordance with the New York State Mandate, the Buffalo Bills and Highmark Stadium are updating its vaccination policy,” the Bills said in an announcement. “Beginning immediately, all guests 5-11 will be required to present proof of at least the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine for entry into all events, concerts, and Bills games.”
“Children under five will be required to wear a mask and a negative COVID-19 test will not be accepted for entry into the stadium.
On Tuesday, Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley — who was vocal about his stance on the COVID-19 vaccine before the start of the season — tested positive for the virus, which will force him to miss Buffalo’s upcoming game against the New England Patriots.
“Just to be clear Covid is not keeping me out of this game,” Beasley said on Instagram. “The rules are. Vaxxed players are playing with Covid every week now because they don’t test. One of my vaxxed teammates is in the hospital missing games. I’m sure he didn’t get this same energy. Thank you for those who support. Everyone else, if you don’t get what’s happening then there is nothing anybody can do for you.”
As positive tests continue to rise in the NFL, the league has been forced to adjust their testing protocols in order to continue playing games. Last week, the NFL announced that they will move away from weekly testing of vaccinated asymptomatic players, instead moving to a “strategic, targeted spot testing” approach.
”The NFL and NFLPA have been engaged with our medical advisors to address the emergence of the new Omicron variant and how to stop the spread to ensure we keep everyone safe and complete the remainder of the season responsibly,” the NFL and the NFLPA said in a statement. “The intensive protocols implemented last week and the rescheduling of three games were designed to stop the transmission of the virus and play this week’s games safely. After this weekend’s games, we have agreed to put into place a new set of protocols, which will include a more targeted testing plan, more flexibility for players to attend meetings virtually and also a high-risk player opt-out for the remainder of the season.”
Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers, and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to [email protected].
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Source: Dailywire