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BYU ends COVID-19 vaccination, testing requirement at indoor sporting events

The requirement was put in place Jan. 20 amid a surge of the omicron variant

(Isaac Hale | Special to The Tribune) Brigham Young University’s starting lineups are announced before a game between the BYU Cougars and the Saint Mary’s College of California Gaels held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021.

Effective immediately, BYU’s sporting venues will no longer require people to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test, the university announced Friday. The rule had been in effect since Jan. 20.

The elimination of the requirement will affect the BYU women’s basketball game Saturday at 2 p.m. against Gonzaga, and all basketball games, volleyball matches and gymnastic meets going forward. It also affects other large, indoor gatherings such as conferences and performing arts.

Face masks, however, will still be required in certain indoor situations, the university said.

“Masks continue to be required in classes and in any indoor space where physical distancing isn’t maintained, regardless of vaccination status, and individuals experiencing symptoms of illness should not attend campus events,” BYU said.

The new guidance seems in concert with Gov. Spencer Cox’s announcement Friday morning that the state of Utah will move to a different stage of the pandemic response, wherein the Utah Department of Health will phase out mass testing sites and, beginning April 1, stopping its daily release of virus data.