A new club policy mandates that all Heat employees must be at least in the process of getting fully vaccinated against the coronavirus by Sept. 1. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Heat requiring employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Aug 20, 2021 5:27 PM ET

The Miami Heat generated headlines in March by becoming the first NBA team to unveil plans to open sections in their lower arena bowl only to fans fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

According to The Associated Press (h/t ESPN), a new club policy mandates that all Heat employees must be at least in the process of getting fully vaccinated against the coronavirus by Sept. 1. Employees who refuse by that date and cannot prove "a qualifying medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief" for why they won't receive one of the safe and available shots won't be permitted to work. Those who continue to object will ultimately be deemed to have resigned from their posts.

Players do not fall under this policy because of the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the National Basketball Players Association:

Miami Heat to require COVID vaccination for all employees; fan policy yet to be set https://t.co/hIKX49QwEI Policy for players handled separately, under agreement with league and union.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) August 20, 2021

In a prepared statement, the Heat added the "stability and success of the live events industry hinges on prioritizing safety -- of our players, our employees, our partners, our fans, our vendors and the media. One of the ways we can substantially minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission is to ensure our entire staff is vaccinated."

While fans will have to show proof of either a COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative coronavirus test to attend New Orleans Saints home games this NFL season, NBA clubs are not expected to finalize such attendance policies until closer to the start of its preseason in early October.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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