Revised COVID-19 Protocol for Long Beach

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competitors will face a more strict COVID-19 protocol for this weekend’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, with the mandatory usage of masks while indoors and outdoors along with ramped up vaccination and testing requirements.

Confirmed by IMSA in its latest COVID-19 protocol released on Monday, all participants regardless of their vaccination status must wear masks at all times while on the venue’s property while also undergoing proof of vaccination or daily rapid testing prior to entrance into the circuit.

The same policy will apply to fans attending the Sept. 24-26 event as well.

IMSA will offer complimentary COVID-19 testing for its non-vaccinated credentialed participants on Thursday and Friday, with negative tests to presented to IMSA Registration in order to receive official verification to enter the venue.

The increased measures are understood to be in adherence of the City of Long Beach’s COVID-19 protocols as well as those currently enforced in the NTT IndyCar Series paddock, which had required either proof of full vaccination or daily rapid testing for its competitors since the start of the season.

It will mark the first WeatherTech Championship event since the third round at Mid-Ohio in May that will enforce a mandatory outdoor mask policy for all competitors.

Previously, IMSA had re-introduced the usage of masks in only enclosed areas and spaces last month per CDC recommendations.

Unlike the opening WeatherTech Championship races of the season that saw a closed paddock, fans will be allowed into all areas of the facility, including the paddock, during the event.

Canceled last year due to the pandemic, this year’s race has been postponed from its traditional mid-April date.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John