Thursday NASCAR announced it had updated its event operations protocol and that teams are no longer require to wear mask outdoors in the garage and pit area.
However, masks will still be mandatory inside buildings, team haulers, or any other enclosed areas and where state or local mandates necessitate mask use.
NASCAR says with data showing COVID transmission outdoors around zero, it felt it was time to relax mask requirements in outdoor areas of pits and garage area. https://t.co/ECekIV0KIz
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 13, 2021
“Going forward, our focus is on encouraging everyone to get vaccinated and preventing indoor spread of COVID-19,” NASCAR said in a statement.
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NASCAR has informed teams that masks are optional outdoors in the garage and pit area starting this weekend at Dover. They still must be worn inside haulers and buildings. @NASCARONFOX
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 13, 2021
The decision to drop the mask requirement comes as the CDC has said that the risk of outdoor transmission of COVID-19 is extremely low.