Fans Will Have To Mask Up At Milwaukee Bucks, Marquette Games

MILWAUKEE, WI — Fans will have to wear masks inside the Fiserv Forum when watching Milwaukee Bucks and Marquette University basketball games, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported as COVID-19 cases rose in Wisconsin.

Masks will be required at all events at the Fiserv Forum, including the Harlem Globetrotters on Friday, Milwaukee Bucks Senior Vice President of Communications Barry Baum told Patch.

"We want to provide provide fans, staff, players and talent with the safest environment as possible," Baum said.

The Milwaukee Health Department supported the decision and appreciated the importance the Bucks placed on the health and safety of its staff, fans and players, health department communication officer Emily Tau said.

Patrons can wear face shields or scarves in addition to face masks but not in place of them, the Fiserv Forum's health policy said. Bandanas, gaiters, costume masks, vented masks and masks made of a single layer of cloth don't count.

In October, fans were required to prove they were vaccinated against COVID-19 or to provide a negative test 48 hours before a game, per an NBA mandate.

There were 6,477 new COVID-19 cases confirmed Tuesday in the state, Wisconsin Department of Health Services data showed. The seven-day average for new cases was 3,869.