T-Mobile Park to drop mask requirement at Seattle Mariners games — for those fully vaccinated

Fans no longer have to wear masks inside T-Mobile Park, as long as they're fully vaccinated, the Seattle Mariners announced in a news release Monday.

The move is bringing the ballpark up to date with the guidance laid out last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that said those who are vaccinated could end social distancing and be in public settings without masks. 

On May 13, the Mariners started offering vaccinated sections, that will continue through June 2. They are special seating sections with tickets as low as $10, where those over 16 years old with proof of vaccination, or those under 16 years old with proof of negative COVID-19 tests can sit without social distancing.

Now, proof of vaccination will get a fan a wristband, allowing them to go mask-free around the park. If someone is maskless without a wristband, the news release said they may be asked to show proof of vaccination.

To be considered fully vaccinated, a fan will have to have had their last dose at least 14 days earlier. 

The following is acceptable as proof of full vaccination:

• Vaccination card which includes the name of the person, type of vaccine and date of last dose;
• Photo of a vaccination card as a separate document or on a mobile device;
• Documentation of vaccination from a health care provider’s electronic health record or state Immunization Information System record.

The Mariners are also still offering COVID-19 vaccines at every game, in partnership with the city and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Fans can get either the Pfizer or Johnson and Johnson vaccine at pop-up clinics at the park.

Vaccinated sections have allowed the Mariners to bolster fan attendance, bringing the capacity up to 14,00o from 9,000, as long as the extra 5,000 are fully vaccinated.

The May 17-19 series against the Detroit Tigers will have benefits for those vaccinated that include access to the T-Mobile ‘Pen, which had been closed to all fans due to social distancing requirements, and the Trident Deck on the View Level; 20% off food and beverage purchases and regular price merchandise at the Mariners Team Store; and a Mariners #SeaUsRise t-shirt.