Storrs — The UConn athletic department announced Thursday that will require fans attending home games to show proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to game time.

The new requirements, put in place due to rising levels of COVID-19 throughout the state and country, will go into effect starting with the Saturday, Jan. 15 women's basketball home game against Xavier.

UConn said it will apply to all individuals, including students, ages 12-and-over.

Fans attending are encouraged to arrive early in order to expedite the entry process. Doors open 60 minutes prior to the start of games at the XL Center in Hartford and 90 minutes before events on campus.

Proof of vaccination in either physical or digital form will be required. A person is considered to be fully-vaccinated by CDC standards two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna), or two-weeks after a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson).

UConn recommends that fans planning to attend events visit the CT WiZ web portal to easily access their digital vaccination record. Individuals who received their vaccination in the state will be able to download or print a digital vaccination record in a few easy steps.

Proof of vaccination can also be demonstrated by displaying a CDC-issued Vaccination Record Card, or a photo of the card.

Unvaccinated fans will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test, administered by a medical professional, within the 72 hours prior to the event. Negative PCR or rapid antigen tests will be accepted, but an at-home test will not. Proof of a negative test will be accepted in both physical and digital form.

Fans will also need to provide a form of identification, which corresponds to the vaccination or negative test record. Individuals who have previously received a medical or religious exemption will also need to display a negative COVID-19 test.

UConn will continue to evaluate the situation and adjust its new policy as necessary.

Coast Guard update

• In light of the rapid onset of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy will temporarily require that all spectators at indoor athletic events be restricted to only those who are fully vaccinated (age 5 and up) and those that are eligible and have received the booster (age 16 and up).

No other spectators will be allowed. Vaccination cards will be checked at the door and all spectators must wear well-fitting masks. Spectators are encouraged to social distance to the greatest extent possible. This policy is in effect until the end of January.

CGA Athletics intends to live stream competitions and the link can be found at www.cgasports.com. Updates will be provided as soon as information is available. All attendees ages 2-and-up will be required to wear a face covering unless eating or drinking, and the university asks that fans experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should not attend.