All 41 Broadway theaters located in New York City are set to require audience members to produce proof that they have been vaccinated against the coronavirus in order to attend events.
The Broadway League, which is the body that oversees more than three dozen venues, will now be requiring guests, performers, backstage crew members, and staff working at the theaters to be vaccinated. Those attending the shows will also be required to wear masks if they are not in sections specifically designated for eating or drinking.
“As vaccination has proven the most effective way to stay healthy and reduce transmission, I’m pleased that the theatre owners have decided to implement these collective safeguards at all our Broadway houses,” Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League, said in a recently released statement. “A uniform policy across all New York City Broadway theatres makes it simple for our audiences and should give even more confidence to our guests about how seriously Broadway is taking audience safety.”
Those showing proof of inoculation must be fully vaccinated and have received their final shots at least 14 days prior to arriving at theaters.
Exceptions have been granted for children under the age of 12 and for people with strong religious beliefs against vaccination. People who meet these criteria must display a negative COVID-19 PCR test from the past 72 hours or show a negative antigen test taken within six hours of the performance.
Changes in coronavirus protocols have followed a shift in guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On Tuesday, the CDC said people should wear face coverings in some circumstances, regardless of vaccination status, reneging on previous advice that said those with both shots need not wear masks in nearly all situations.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo thinks vaccine mandates will encourage more folks to get the vaccine, stating, “I also think it provides a real incentive for people to get the vaccine.”
Or, and hear me out, people are going to continue not getting vaccinated because they do not want to participate in the taking of a still experimental vaccine because of the potential dangerous short term and long term side effects, which remain largely unknown at this time.
"*" indicates required fields
