So looking at the Enterprise Center site, it looks like Arch Madness will have some COVID rules that require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test 3 within 3 days of going. Since this is a 4 day event, that leaves a bit of an issue as it would require two negative tests to attend the entire event.
Coach, I know you've got a medical background, any idea how they can require this and not be breaking HIPAA law?
Also, I've tried contacting the Enterprise Center and have left voicemails, texts, and e-mails with no response. Last call I made went straight to voicemail and said it was full and couldn't receive any messages.
Here are the rules I found online:
http://www.enterprisecenter.com/plan.../health-safety
Regarding the requirement of a negative Covid test within 72 hours for unvaccinated fans- I have no idea how it's handled in the case of an unvaccinated spectator who had the required Covid test, but then returns for the 3rd or 4th day of the tournament. My guess is that they won't require another test after they showed documentation the first day.
And there have been numerous court challenges to vaccine mandates around the country, and the HIPPA argument has never been accepted by the various state and federal courts. It seems courts believe public health concerns trump the federal privacy laws.
The Enterprise Center's entrance requirements are not at all unique. Many theaters, arenas, and other venues are requiring proof of vaccination or negative Covid tests.
Thankfully, as the pandemic is now subsiding, more and more venues and locations are starting to drop restrictions. It would be nice if they dropped this at the Enterprise Center before next week's tournament, but that is probably expecting too much.
This past Wednesday, the St. Louis County Executive Sam Page announced that he will be end the county’s mask mandate at 8 a.m. Monday.
Page to end St. Louis County’s mask mandate on Monday-
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local...cle_9071bb97-5207-5b67-b866-d3bd53afd331.html
However, that applies in St. Louis County, but not where cities within the county have their own mandate. Unfortunately, the city of St. Louis does have such a mask mandate that will still be in effect until March 6. It would require a vote of the city's aldermen to end it early, and that does not seem likely to happen before the tournament.
According to some of the articles about the mask mandates in St. Louis County and the city of St. Louis, most people are ignoring them anyway, and nobody seems to be enforcing them. So, let's hope there won't be any problems if fans choose not to wear their masks in the arena. I'd recommend taking a mask just in case.