Last week's announced vaccination requirements for entering The Pit at the University of New Mexico are the responsible thing to do, a university athletics official said in a news release.
The new requirements, announced by UNM's Athletics department on Dec. 20, are for everyone's protection, Vice President/Director of Athletics Eddie Nuñez said in the news release.
"The university has a responsibility to our student athletes, coaches, staff and the thousands of passionate Lobo fans, to do what we can to protect the health and safety of those competing, coaching, working, watching and cheering the game," Nuñez said. "We ask for your understanding and patience as the new requirements are implemented."
The requirement to be vaccinated or provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test is not a negative reflection on fans, Nuñez said.
"Our fans are the reason The Pit is the iconic venue that it is and why our student-athletes compete every day to represent them and this great state," he said. "Please help us keep our student-athletes and everyone in our community safe."
Nuñez is in his fifth year as UNM's Vice President/Director of Athletics.
The Pit, UNM's multi-use arena on the southwest corner of Avenida Cesar Chavez and University Boulevard in Albuquerque and which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016, is so named because its playing floor is well below street level. Games have been postponed over COVID-19 concerns since the new vaccine requirements were announced.
The Pit became a mass vaccination site this past January.
The vaccine requirements offer three ways to guests to enter The Pit. A guest may show proof of full COVID vaccination, two doses depending on the vaccine, at least two weeks prior to and event. The full-vaccination-proof requirement does not mention booster shots.
Unvaccinated adult guests must provide proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours of an event or an antigen test within 24 hours.
Guests 12 and younger are not required to present proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test under UNM's vaccination requirements, but masks are still required for everyone unless actively eating and drinking. Bandanas and face coverings with exhalation vents are prohibited in The Pit.
The vaccine requirements went into effect Tuesday, Dec. 28, and will remain in place until the end of January, when they will be reassessed, according to the news release.
Two home basketball games, the men's basketball game vs. Colorado State and the women's game vs. San José State, both scheduled for Dec. 28 at The Pit, were postponed "due to COVID-19-related concerns."