New York to announce halt to vaccine mandate affecting Nets, Knicks, Yankees and Mets

AtomicPiss · March 2022

New York City will lift its private sector vaccine mandate Thursday in an announcement at Citi Field by Mayor Eric Adams, sources confirmed to The Athletic following a report from Politico. The mandate has prevented New York City athletes, including Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving, from playing home games.

The mandate also would've prevented some New York athletes to play games in the city, but that will no longer be a concern once Adams makes the change with two weeks remaining until Opening Day.

New York City ended certain restrictions on March 7, allowing fans to attend games without wearing masks and or showing proof of vaccination. Irving became allowed to attend games at Barclays Center and Madison Square Garden for the first time this season, but he was still prohibited from playing.

The Nets were fined $50,000 for allowing Irving to enter the team's locker room during Brooklyn's 110-107 home win against the Knicks.

Since he played his first road game on Jan. 5, Irving has averaged 27.7 points per game. He's been especially dominant lately, with 50 points against the Hornets on March 8 and 60 points in his most recent game against the Magic on March 15.

Irving has only played in 19 of the Nets' 72 games, but his return to full-time action should give Brooklyn a huge boost. One potential stumbling block remains for Irving's availability in the playoffs, however. If they face the Toronto Raptors, they will be without Irving for any road games due to Canada's vaccination requirement for non-citizens to enter the country.

Canada's rule will also affect every MLB team this season including the Yankees, who will play nine games in Toronto this season.