The below health and safety protocols have been created in an effort to minimize the risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus. Protocols will include, but are not limited to a pre-arrival screening, testing, and proper protective guidelines. Due to the evolving science behind COVID-19, our health and safety protocols outlined below - particularly our guidelines on testing and vaccination - are subject to change. We will communicate via email, phone, or on our website any update to our protocols to attendees and stakeholders as they occur.

We are aware that some of the attendees will be vaccinated prior to Enshrinement. Although COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping you from getting sick, scientists are still learning how well vaccines prevent you from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 to others, even if you do not get sick. According to the CDC guidelines on vaccination, if you are vaccinated against COVID-19, you may still be exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. After exposure, people can be infected with or “carry” the virus that causes COVID-19 but not feel sick or have any symptoms. For this reason, even after the vaccination, we will still need all attendees and working staff to go through the below testing protocol regardless of vaccination. 

 

Guests and Fans Pre-Arrival Screening

In order to attend the Enshrinement weekend and for a ticket holder to receive event tickets, all guests and fans are required to provide one of the following:

1. Proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result within 72 hours of Mohegan Sun arrival,

OR

2. Proof of a previous positive test result for those who have tested positive for COVID-19 within ninety (90) days prior to their arrival to Mohegan Sun. In accordance with Tribal health protocol, the attendee must be asymptomatic and have clinically recovered for a period of fourteen (14) days since symptom onset or such positive test if not symptomatic.

Only upon receipt of one of these will guests receive their ticket(s) and/or credentials. The BHOF will provide a pre-screening questionnaire to all guests in advance for them to upload/submit documents.

 Pre-arrival screening tests can be taken by a provider of the guests’ choosing within 72 hours of Mohegan Sun arrival, or on-site at Mohegan Sun through our testing partner, BioReference. BioReference will provide a rapid PCR test to the ticket holder for a $99 fee. Through BioReference, test results will be delivered to the ticket holder 45 minutes to one hour after specimen collection. Tests provided by BioReference must be scheduled in advance.

 

Positive Test Protocol

In the case of a positive test result, that person must immediately quarantine and follow the guidance provided by the Tribal Health department and COVID Compliance Officer on whether to self-isolate or seek immediate medical attention. The designated hospital for COVID-19 medical treatment is Backus Hospital in Norwich, CT.

For those who live within driving distance of Mohegan Sun they must immediately depart the property with assistance from the Mohegan Sun security personnel. For those who have arrived via private or commercial flight and/or bus and are unable to drive home, they will need to depart Mohegan Sun immediately and self-isolate off-site for ten (10) days as recommended by the Connecticut State Travel Advisory (as of January 2021). In either case, it is the responsibility of the individual to make arrangements for departure.

  

Contact Tracing

The Basketball Hall of Fame and the Mohegan Tribal Health department will make considerable effort to set up adequate contact tracing to ensure that anyone who has had close contact with a person infected with COVID-19 is contacted. In the case of a positive test result, our contact tracing protocol will be used and a medical professional will contact and then interview anyone who has been in close contact with the infected person in the past five days. Close contact is defined as someone who has been within six feet of the infected person for at least ten minutes in the past five days. All those deemed to have close contact with the infected person are required to immediately quarantine and then follow the guidance provided by the Tribal Health department and the COVID Compliance Officer.

 

Submitting of Previous Positive Test

The Basketball Hall of Fame will provide an Enshrinement Pre-Screening Questionnaire for guests to fill out and submit proof of previous positive test or proof of a negative PCR test result within 72 hour of Mohegan Sun arrival. The questionnaire will be open for submission as of March 15.

 

Recent Positive Test

An individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 within fourteen (14) days of arrival will NOT be allowed to attend the event. For example, an individual that first test positive on April 30, 2021 is not allowed to attend the event. However, someone that first tests positive on April 29, 2021 will be allowed to attend the events on May 15, 2021 as long as they have clinically recovered. Proof of recovery is required to receive tickets/credentials.

 

Masks

It is mandatory for everyone on the Mohegan reservation to wear a facemask. Neck gaiters are not allowed. The only time masks can be removed is when eating, drinking, or in your hotel room.

 

Self-Reporting

In the case where prior to their arrival someone is exhibiting symptoms, or has been in contact with anyone exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, that individual must immediately report their symptoms to the event promoter and our on-site licensed physician. They then must adhere to all advice provided by such licensed physician, including testing, physician visits or self-quarantine. In this instance, if that person poses a risk to themselves or others the BHOF and Mohegan Sun have full discretion to prohibit their attendance and can require them to leave the location of the Mohegan Sun property immediately.

 

Physically Distant Seating

Seating at all of our functions will be physically distant with a focus on keeping groups from the same households together. We are working closely with the Mohegan Tribal Health department on a seating plan that will follow all capacity guidelines.