Boston College to require proof of vaccine or negative COVID-19 test for home football games

Boston College announced on Friday that it will require fans to either be vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test to attend home games this season.

The policy will begin with BC’s home football opener against Colgate on Sept. 4. Fans under the age of 12 will not need to require proof of vaccine or a negative test, but they will be required to wear a face covering.

“We have an obligation to do all that we can to help mitigate the spread of the deadly virus and to protect not only our Boston College supporters but also our entire campus community, who are doing their part to help keep themselves — and all of us — safe by becoming fully vaccinated,” BC athletic director Pat Kraft said.

Boston College is the fifth FBS school to require either a vaccine or test to attend games this year. Tulane, Oregon State, Oregon and LSU have made similar announcements in the past few weeks.

Boston College students, faculty and staff are all required to be vaccinated for the 2021-22 academic year.

“We recognize that many in our BC family are already vaccinated and that those who are not, may be inconvenienced by the testing requirement for entry, but this decision is made in the collective best interests of our community, and the community around us,” Kraft said.