Bucks, Brewers ease COVID-19 restrictions starting June 1
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Some good news for Milwaukee fans -- the Bucks and Brewers are relaxing some of their COVID policies starting June 1.
Wednesday's announcement comes as the city and Brewers team up to vaccinate fans in exchange for game tickets.
The Milwaukee Health Department says 97 fans were vaccinated prior to the Brewers game Wednesday.
"I was originally nervous, but it was great -- I didn't feel any symptoms, of course," said 12-year-old Tzvi Hellman, who received the shot.
"The nurses made them feel super comfortable and they relaxed their arms and they hardly even felt the vaccine at all," said Faygie Hellman.
People of all ages went to get their vaccine at American Family Field, and the two free tickets were just another bonus in convincing people to roll up their sleeves.
"It's been weighing on me quite a bit, getting the vaccine, and I feel ultimately it came down to just being responsible for those around me," said Alex Johnson, who was vaccinated before the game.
"We've got individuals, some of whom are willing to get it, some who might take some cajoling, but if it's there in front of them, they may do it," said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. "And that's where we are right now."
As vaccination efforts continue in the city, the Brewers announced masks will no longer be required as of June 1, but they are suggested for people who are unvaccinated.
The team plans to go to full capacity by June 25.
"We're not gonna ask somebody if they've been vaccinated," said Rick Schlesinger, Brewers president of business operations. "The people in our state are really responsible, and again, if somebody's not feeling well, they shouldn't come."
"We know there are people on the fence, and anything we can do to incentivize them and get them excited about being vaccinated, we wanna make happen," said Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson.
The Milwaukee Bucks are also loosening restrictions during playoffs, expanding capacity to 16,500 people by June 1, which is considered full capacity with current NBA COVID configurations, but masks will still be required inside Fiserv Forum.
"You can tell the energy changed just from 3,500 fans up to the 9,000 we had. This is really gonna make it feel like a playoff atmosphere, really create that home field advantage," said Dustin Godsey, Milwaukee Bucks chief marketing officer.
The Brewers will be hosting another clinic for free tickets Thursday, May 27, from 9:10 a.m.- noon. Fans will have to come back June 18 from 3-7 p.m. for their second dose if they got the Pfizer vaccine.