LA County and Cincinnati Public Health Departments Congratulate the Rams and Bengals and Encourage Safety Measures as Residents Gather to Watch the Super Bowl

LOS ANGELES, CA, Feb 9 – The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the Cincinnati Health Department are joining together to encourage residents and visitors in Los Angeles County and Cincinnati to gather safely when watching the Super Bowl game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, February 13.

The health departments want to caution residents that COVID-19 spreads more easily in closed spaces with poor airflow, crowded indoor areas where there are many people from different households, and crowded indoor and outdoor settings where people are unmasked and chanting or shouting together. For all of these situations, there are sensible safety measures that everyone can use to have a safe game day.

Smaller gatherings are recommended as mixing with different households increases the risk of infection. People should also gather outdoors, if possible, and if you can do it safely, move the TV outside or plan to serve food and drinks outdoors. If having an outdoor Super Bowl gathering isn’t possible, it is recommended that organizers improve airflow, including using fans or portable air cleaners, or running the heat or air conditioning.

Residents should also consider getting a rapid test as close to the start of the gathering as possible, especially when gathering indoors with people who are unvaccinated and/or are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Rapid tests, including over-the-counter (OTC) self-tests, provide a result in 15-30 minutes.

Wearing an upgraded mask (such as an N95, KN95, or KF94) while not eating or drinking also adds stronger protection, especially if the gathering is crowded with unvaccinated guests, people with unknown vaccine status, or people who are at higher risk of severe illness.

Individuals will benefit from getting boosted or vaccinated as soon as they can, as it will help protect themselves, and their friends and family at Super Bowl gatherings. Residents in LA County can visit VaccinateLACounty.com (LA County), and Cincinnati residents can go to Cincinnati-OH.gov/health/covid-19/ to find vaccine information or to schedule an appointment.

Fans who plan to go to a bar, restaurant, or to SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles County to watch the game, should follow all county rules at the venue and check specific venue’s COVID-19 requirements ahead of time, which are likely to include vaccine verification and masking requirements.

“LA County is proud to partner with the Cincinnati Health Department to encourage everyone in both of our communities to have a great time and celebrate the exceptional achievements of our respective teams while doing everything we can to protect ourselves and those around us from COVID-19,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “This an exciting time for Los Angeles County and for Cincinnati, and there are sensible safety measures we can easily do that help prevent exposure and transmission. We have survived the past 2 years by taking care of each other and using the tools available to reduce spread of this damaging virus. We can do the same for the Super Bowl. Whether you are gathering at the stadium, a bar or restaurant, or at someone’s home, let’s rely on each other to stay safe by taking those small steps that make a difference. Wear a high-quality mask, get tested before gathering, gather outdoors whenever possible, and get boosted or vaccinated this week if eligible.”

“Our community is thrilled and excited to celebrate the success of our Bengals and offer our congratulations to LA County and the Rams for their achievement in reaching the Super Bowl,” Melba R. Moore, DBA, MS, CPHA, Cincinnati Health Commissioner. “As we head into Super Bowl weekend, we want everyone traveling to LA or gathering in Cincinnati to watch the game to have fun, show their enthusiasm and to take a few sensible precautions to keep themselves and others safe.”