Syracuse University lifts Dome mask mandate for fully vaccinated people
[MGN]
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WHEC) — Syracuse University sent out a memo on Tuesday announcing the masking mandate will be lifted for games and events inside the Stadium, more commonly known as the Dome, for fully vaccinated individuals.
The new policy will go into effect on Wednesday, March 2. Anyone who isn’t fully vaccinated will still be required to wear a mask inside the Dome, unless when eating or drinking. Kids under age 5 do not need to show proof of vaccination or a test to enter the Stadium.
Syracuse Athletics’ first home game under the new policy comes on March 2 as the men’s lacrosse team hosts No. 13 Army at 4:30 p.m.
The rule change comes after Syracuse Orange men’s basketball coach Jim Boeheim criticized the university for not lifting the mandate earlier. Boeheim had wanted it gone for the most recent home game against Duke. The Orange still drew 30,000 plus fans inside the Dome, a season high in college basketball, but were all required to wear masks.
SU men’s hoops does still have one remaining home game on the slate, which is on Saturday, March 5 against Miami (Fla).
The women’s basktball team is already off to Greensboro, NC for the ACC Tournament. Both lacrosse programs have the rest of the spring schedule to play with fans inside the Dome.