No masks, vax proof to see matches at full-capacity U.S. Open

Fueled by the highly contagious delta variant of the virus, new reported cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. have topped 1,50,000 a day, the highest level since late January

Spectators will not be required to wear masks or show proof of their vaccination status to attend matches at the U.S. Open when the tennis tournament returns at full capacity next week, one year after all fans were banned from the event because of the coronavirus pandemic. “The goal is not to prevent all cases of Covid. The goal, really, is to be certain that we don’t have an outbreak of Covid that’s going to be unusual or that we would regret,” Dr. Brian Hainline, a U.S. Tennis Association first vice-president and member of its medical advisory group, said on a conference call with reporters on Wednesday. “We’re still relying on the goodwill of people. The unvaccinated — although it’s not going to be enforced — they really should be wearing masks. I expect many vaccinated individuals are going to be wearing masks, as well.” The year’s last Grand Slam tournament starts on August 30 in New York. Fueled by the highly contagious delta variant of the virus, new reported cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. have topped 1,50,000 a day, the highest level since late January.