BUFFALO, N.Y. — A number of Western New York venues have announced plans to drop their mask and vaccine requirements for sporting events, concerts and performances.
Proof of vaccination will no longer be required at Highmark Stadium, the Buffalo Bills confirmed Monday.
KeyBank Center will also drop its vaccine requirement, as vaccines will longer be required to enter events, including Buffalo Sabres and Bandits games and live concerts.
Shea's Performing Arts Center is also lifting their vaccine mandate, which means guests no longer have to show proof of vaccination in order to attend a performance.
Sahlen Field also announced plans to drop their vaccine and mask mandate for Buffalo Bisons home games and other non-game day events.
"The safety of our guests will always be our top priority and we encourage fans to continue any measures they feel comfortable with to protect themselves from the coronavirus pandemic," the Bisons said in a press release. "We look forward to seeing everyone back at the ballpark on Opening Day, Tuesday, April 5."
On Wednesday, Kleinhans Music Hall announced masks are no longer required for BPO performances beginning March 2, though officials say they strongly encourage all patrons to continue to wear masks at all times while in the venue.
At this time, proof of vaccination is still required to attend events at Kleinhans. Additionally, all staff, volunteers and security will continue to be required to wear masks and to be fully vaccinated.
Masks are also not required, but guests can still wear them if they so choose.
The new policy takes effect immediately and comes the same day as the mask mandate was lifted for municipal buildings in Erie County. The state will lift the mask mandate in schools on Wednesday.
The Bills and Sabres began mandating proof of vaccination in September.
Officials say individual concerts and other live events may still choose to implement their own policies above and beyond those of the KeyBank Center.
More information can be found on the venue's website.