wltx.com (08/30/21) Johnson, Devin

The University of South Carolina (UofSC) will offer free COVID-19 vaccines to attendees at its home football games this season. "We have many people who come to our football games, and some of them may not be vaccinated," said UofSC Executive Associate Athletics Director Charles Bloom. "If there is an opportunity for them to use this time to get vaccinated, we want to facilitate that process." The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control will offer the shots in Gamecock Village prior to each game, which will be available from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m for the Eastern Illinois game on Sept. 4. UofSC does not require fans to wear a face mask or covering, but they are strongly advised for all indoor and enclosed areas of the venue unless eating or drinking. "If you have been sick with COVID or been around someone sick with COVID, we ask you not to come to the game," Bloom said. There will also be hand sanitizer stations throughout the stadium, while concessions, ticket booths and merchandise venues will only take cards or mobile payments. Bloom also said this season's "Gamecock Walk" will traverse a wider path, "so there's no congestion between players and fans."

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