LSU Removes COVID-19 Vaccine Protocols from Home Games Starting October 16

LSU Football announced Friday it will remove most of its COVID-19 protocols, including the need for proof of vaccination or a negative test, for Tigers home games beginning Oct. 16 against Florida.

The announcement noted local hospitalizations have decreased by 80 percent over the past seven weeks, and athletic director Scott Woodward thanked LSU fans for helping "stop the spread," per ESPN's Alex Scarborough.

"Their commitment to protecting our community and supporting our student-athletes has never wavered," Woodward said. "We remain fully committed to providing a gameday experience that is as safe and as enjoyable as possible for all guests, and we will continue to work with university leadership and rely on medical expertise to ensure we are taking reasonable and necessary precautions to protect the health of our community."

Although most of the guidelines are being retracted, fans will still be asked to wear masks in the indoor areas within Tiger Stadium, which is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Dr. Catherine O'Neal, who works in Baton Rouge and serves on the SEC's Return to Activity and Medical Guidance Task Force, said they'd continue to urge more people to get vaccinated, per Scarborough.

"This is amazing progress," O'Neal said. "But the game is not over. This virus will surge again, and Louisiana must be prepared before it arrives yet again by getting vaccinated. The vaccines we have are safe and effective, and getting vaccinated is our best shot at defeating COVID-19."

Tiger Stadium features the sixth-largest capacity among American sports venues at 102,321.

LSU announced an attendance of 97,717 for Saturday's home loss to Auburn, which dropped its record to 3-2 and ended a three-game winning streak that followed a season-opening loss to UCLA.

The Tigers are in a stretch of six straight games against ranked opponents. They'll face No. 16 Kentucky in a road game Saturday before returning home for a meeting with the No. 20 Gators.

That's followed by road games against No. 13 Ole Miss and No. 1 Alabama.

LSU finishes the regular season with three straight games at Tiger Stadium starting Nov. 13 against No. 13 Arkansas. That's followed by contests against UL Monroe and Texas A&M.