Despite New York City lifting part of its COVID-19 vaccine mandate next week, the mayor says Kyrie Irving is still restricted from playing with his team during home games until he is vaccinated.
The city is planning to lift vaccination requirements for indoor activities beginning on March 7th. Employees of in-person NYC businesses will still be required to get the shot, but not patrons. Since Irving is technically “employed” by the Brooklyn Nets and their home games take place inside NYC stadiums, Irving will be unable to participate in home games at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn or Madison Square Garden in Manhattan if he doesn’t receive the shot.
Mayor Eric Adams says that while he’d do “anything to get that ring,” he cannot make any exceptions for the player, who has publicly expressed his apprehension about taking the COVID-19 vaccine.
“There’s so much at stake here. And I spoke with the owner of the team. We want to find a way to get Kyrie on the court, but this is a bigger issue,” Adams shared Monday with CNBC, adding that making an exception for one player would be hypocritical.
The 29-year-old has missed most of the games this season due to his vaccination status. In December 2021, the Nets brought him back part-time for away games, but he was not permitted to play in New York City.
The decision to deny Irving access to home games has drawn criticism, especially considering that unvaccinated fans can attend the games under the new guidelines. One Twitter user wrote, “Kyrie Irving can sit courtside at a game in Barclays but can’t play in the game, that makes sense.”
Kyrie Irving can sit courtside at a game in Barclays but can’t play in the game, that makes sense.
— Brooklyn Netcast (@BrooklynNetcast) February 27, 2022
https://twitter.com/DrGuru_/status/1498373894142676995
Irving has not yet publicly responded to this latest update.
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