Major League Baseball told teams on Monday that fully vaccinated players, coaches and other Tier 1 staff can enjoy loosened COVID-19 protocols, with more restrictions lifted once a team reaches 85% vaccination.
In an internal memo received by several outlets, MLB "strongly encouraged" the players and staff to receive one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines when eligible but stops short of making it a requirement.
According to the memo, fully vaccinated Tier 1 personnel — that's anyone who had the final dose of the vaccine more than two weeks prior — will be able to gather together in indoor spaces such as hotel rooms without masks or distancing and can choose to opt out of some COVID-19 testing. They also will be allowed to eat in restaurants, bring vaccinated family members on road trips, carpool and stay in personal residences while traveling, ESPN reported.