San Francisco Giants requiring negative COVID tests for attendees of home games

When fans return to Oracle Park on April 9, they may be in for a surprise. The San Francisco Giants are requiring negative COVID-19 test results from all fans for home games 12 years and older.

According to the Giants, fans can get guaranteed testing appointments through a partnership with Dignity Health-GoHealth Urgent Care and the results have to come in within 72 hours of the game.

San Francisco Acting Health Officer Dr. Susan Philip said in a statement, "Your cooperation helps keep not only everyone attending and working at the game safe, but also protects our entire community. COVID-19 is still here, including new variants that spread more quickly, and unvaccinated individuals are still at serious risk, so we need to keep up the good work and follow the health guidelines so we can safely enjoy a full season of baseball. Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe."

The team is recommending using the Health Pass in the CLEAR mobile app, or alternatively show the negative results on a mobile device or with a print-out copy.

Those who are already fully-vaccinated can be exempted by bringing a paper or electronic copy of their completed vaccination card to the game. This means it must be at least two weeks after the second Pfizer or Moderna dose, or two weeks after the Johnson & Johnson dose.

Giants president and CEO Larry Baer said in a statement, "We are very excited and are looking forward to welcoming fans back home to Oracle Park. We want to thank our fans for their ongoing patience, cooperation and support as we navigate the challenges of the pandemic."

The stadium will only be allowing 22 percent capacity, which is about 9,000 fans. Additionally, the team is requiring all fans wear masks at all times and not attend games if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, even if they have recently been tested or are fully vaccinated.

Fans will be seated in socially distanced pods throughout the stadium and be assigned designated zones entry and exit, concessions and restrooms. All food and beverage will only be available via mobile app only.

In a statement the team said that "The Giants will sell game tickets on a monthly basis until more details become clear. Season ticket members have first priority to secure tickets to April games. Any remaining tickets to April games will go on sale to Visa cardholders on April 2 and to the public on April 5."