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Dodgers Reach 85% Vaccination Threshold, Cleared For Loosened Restrictions

Matthew Moreno
4 Min Read
Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the latest clubs to reach MLB’s 85% vaccination threshold for Tier 1 individuals (players, coaches, and those with direct access to them) and thus can move forward with some health and safety protocols lifted.

MLB incentivized teams to become fully vaccinated — two weeks after the second dose of a Pfizer or Moderna coronavirus (COVID-19) shot, and two weeks after the Johnson & Johnson dose — by offering them a chance to gather in hotel rooms without wearing masks, carpool together, eat at restaurants, meet outdoors with anyone while on the road and stay at personal residences when traveling, among other possibilities.

Perhaps most notably, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, coaches and players who were not in the lineup on Tuesday night sat in the dugout without masks on. Roberts, who began the process of getting vaccinated during Spring Training, was open about his hope of the team taking action.

The Dodgers had been tracking to reach the threshold over the past three weeks, and during that process placed multiple players on the COVID-related injured list because they experienced side effects.

L.A. has crossed the line as the San Diego Padres and New York Yankees deal with respective positive cases that are impacting the Major League team. “I think we were very mindful of that coming into the season and trying to get to that 85% while all along respecting peoples’ personal decisions,” Roberts said.

“But ultimately to get to this point, the more guys you have vaccinated, you stay away from a situation like that.”

Dodgers tickets for fully-vaccinated sections

The Dodgers again are selling tickets in fully-vaccinated sections, with the offering expanded to include the right field side of the reserve level and the loge level as options as well.

In addition to increasing the number of fully-vaccinated sections, the Dodgers are selling such tickets at a 20% discount off those from similarly positioned areas. Tickets for the fully-vaccinated only sections start at $34 and are available for purchase at Dodgers.com/VaccinationZone.

In order to sit in the designated sections, fans must be at least two weeks removed from receiving their final vaccine dose.

Children between the ages of 2 and 15 can provide proof of having tested negative for coronavirus (COVID-19) within 72 hours (PCR test) or 24 hours (antigen test) of admission. Children under the age of 2 do not need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test.

Social distancing is not required in fully-vaccinated sections and parties may be seated next to fans they do not know. Face coverings must still be worn, except while actively eating and/or drinking in the area. That is in line with the slate of Dodger Stadium health and safety protocols the Dodgers previously announced.

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Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com