Save Mart Center to change COVID-19 policy to attend events. But not quite yet

The Save Mart Center soon will be dropping its health entry requirements regarding COVID-19 to attend events at the Fresno State venue.

Starting April 1, the Save Mart Center no longer will require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering the arena.

The venue’s policy is being changed with the California and Fresno County Departments of Public Health loosening its indoor mega-event requirements (a crowd of 1,000 or greater in an indoor setting) that have been in effect for much of the past two years.

The health departments have stated that COVID-19 cases and hospitalization have been declining across the state.

However, there are two upcoming events at the Save Mart Center that still will operate under the stricter health entry requirements.

Those attending the Mercy Me Concert on Sunday and/or the Fresno State men’s basketball game on Monday still must show proof of vaccination against the coronavirus or a negative COVID-19 test.

And that test must be taken within one day of the event when submitting a result from an antigen test or within two days of the event if taking a PCR test.

The test documents must include the date and time that’s within the required time windows, along with the attendee’s name and a negative result.

Those rules are required of all who are at least 2 years old.

Wearing face masks, meanwhile, are no longer mandatory.

But attendees — regardless of vaccination status — are strongly recommended to wear masks in such mega settings held indoors, according to the CDPH Guidance for Face Coverings.

The CDPH considers all indoor mega-events a setting in which there are increased risks of COVID-19 transmission.

The first event at the Save Mart Center that won’t require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test is a Monster Jam show on April 1.

This story was originally published March 26, 2022 at 5:00 AM.