New Orleans, Louisiana - As the kickoff of the 2021 NFL season is fast approaching, more and more teams are doing what they can to combat the coronavirus’ footprint on football.

The New Orleans Saints recently informed their fans that the team will not refund any tickets purchased by spectators who won’t follow the Covid-19 health and safety protocols put in place for their home games at Caesars Stadium.

This move is meant to motivate the local population to protect themselves and their fellow Saints fans heading into the regular season.

In comments made to New Orleans area TV station WDSU, Saints vice president of communications Greg Bensel said, "We’ve received all necessary local and state approvals to host a full stadium of fans," and added that "we are not offering a refund or opt-out option this season."

Last week, the Saints announced that based on city and state regulations, indoor sporting events are now allowed to be open at full capacity, as long as the spectators followed certain requirements. In New Orleans, proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 PCR test that is taken within 72 hours before the event is required.

State rules additionally require masks to be worn at all times, except when eating or drinking.

The Las Vegas Raiders are also doing what they can to keep the ongoing pandemic at bay. On Monday, they became the first team in the league to require proof of vaccination for home games at Allegiant Stadium.

With that regulation in place, they will allow fans in attendance to forego wearing masks. The Raiders are really pushing out the boat with pregame vaccination drives this season, including the option for anyone who is not vaccinated to receive a shot before being allowed to enter the stadium.

Through an official statement made on Allegiant Stadium’s website, Raiders owner Mark Davis said, "Health and safety has always been our number one priority...this policy ensures that we will be able to operate at full capacity without masks for fully vaccinated fans for the entire season."

The Raiders are playing this one a little differently than the Saints when it comes to fans who won’t follow the rules. Instead of outright refusing a 2021 ticket refund, fans can defer their refund request towards tickets for the 2022 season.

Their new Covid-19 policy will take effect for the first home game of the regular season on September 13, against the Baltimore Ravens.