OKC Thunder lifting vaccine, mask requirement for home games

The Oklahoma City Thunder volition soon nary longer necessitate fans to amusement impervious of vaccination oregon a antagonistic trial effect to ticker location games astatine the Paycom Center.

The squad required fans to beryllium vaccinated against COVID-19 oregon amusement a antagonistic trial effect for their archetypal 10 location games of the season.

However, the squad said a higher vaccination complaint successful Oklahoma City and improved lawsuit counts person allowed the enactment to marque the change.

"The Oklahoma Department of Health reports the percent of Oklahoma County residents 12 and older who are afloat oregon partially vaccinated has risen to 85%," the squad said successful a statement. "The fig of COVID cases statewide has dropped astir 60% and hospitalizations person declined astatine akin rates."

In summation to the vaccination and investigating argumentation changes, children volition nary longer person to deterioration masks astatine the Paycom Center.

The caller argumentation takes effect Dec. 1

There is an objection to the caller policy. The squad said vaccination and investigating requirements for those sitting successful courtside seats volition not change. The Thunder says that argumentation is acceptable by the NBA.