The Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins will soon begin their respective 2021-22 seasons in October, and TD Garden announced updated COVID-19 protocols that fans must follow to attend the games.
Here's the official announcement from TD Garden and the two teams from Wednesday:
"TD Garden, Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics announced today that all guests 12 years and older are required to present proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a qualifying negative COVID-19 test to gain access to the arena. These entry requirements will go into effect on Thursday, September 30, 2021, aligned with the first Boston Bruins preseason game at TD Garden. Additionally, the City of Boston public health order requiring all guests over the age of 2 are required to wear a mask at TD Garden, except while actively eating or drinking as permitted, will remain in effect until further notice.
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"These policies will continue to be reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis. Some events, seating locations and experiences may require additional health and safety guidelines as required by promoters, touring artists or league protocols."
Under this policy, people are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 "at least 14 days after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series (e.g. Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) or at least 14 days after they have received a single-dose vaccine (e.g. Johnson and Johnson/Janssen)."
For fans who are submitting a negative COVID-19 test, a "Rapid/Antigen test OR Molecular/PCR test will be accepted".
Fans can visit this link for more information on the arena's COVID-19 protocols.
Boston Celtics
The Bruins will be the first team to welcome fans to games under these updated protocols.
They will host the rival Philadelphia Flyers in a preseason matchup Sept. 30. It's one of three preseason games the Bruins will play at home. Their regular season home opener is Saturday, Oct. 16 against the Dallas Stars.
The Celtics' first preseason game is Monday, Oct. 4 against the Orlando Magic. Their first regular season matchup at the Garden is Friday, Oct. 22 versus the Toronto Raptors.