Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins — who is reportedly unvaccinated against COVID-19 — will not be permitted to play in home games at San Francisco’s Chase Center unless he is vaccinated soon.
In a statement to SFGATE on Friday, the San Francisco Department of Public Health said that Wiggins would not be able to claim a religious or medical exemption as a response to the city’s policy for large indoor events.
“At large and mega indoor events, all patrons 12 and older must be vaccinated at this time,” the statement reads. “Under the current order, if unvaccinated, they cannot enter indoor areas regardless of the reason they are unvaccinated and cannot test out of this requirement even if they have a medical or religious exemption. This same rule applies to performers and players employed by the host at large and mega indoor events who are covered by the vaccination requirements of the Health Order.”
The department had previously stated it would not comment on Wiggins’ situation unless he received a religious exemption from the NBA. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that those around the league believe the NBA would grant him such an exemption. (The San Francisco Chronicle and SFGATE are owned by the same parent company, Hearst, but operate independently of one another.)
The religious exemption conversation appears to be moot now, as the city will not allow Wiggins to enter Chase Center for games “regardless of the reason [he is] unvaccinated.”
Wiggins, 26, was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Golden State Warriors in February 2020. He had a strong 2020-21 season, averaging 18.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while shooting 38% from 3-point range. He has two years left on his current contract, which runs through 2023.
SFGATE sports editor Alex Shultz contributed to this report.
