Justin Bullock, FISM News
With the rise in cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant, a renewed discussion over reimplementing mask mandates and requiring vaccinations has begun to stir. These topics are extremely polarizing, and while the government has made statements encouraging mandates, they have not made any requirements yet. This has not stopped some private businesses from making bold mandates of their own.
The latest group to do this is the Broadway League which consists of all of the owners and operators of Broadway theaters in New York City. On Friday the group announced that masks and vaccinations will be required for all spectators, performers, backstage crew, and theatre staff.
The President of the group, Charlotte St. Martin, said in the press release,
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. 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.
The new policy is set to be in place from now until October 21, 2021. In September the group said that they would review the policy in accordance with the scientific data available at that time. This review will inform whether or not the group continues, ends, or amends the policy.
According to the group’s press release, the theaters will request verification of a completed FDA or WHO authorized vaccination before admittance to any show for spectators. This means that everyone will have to demonstrate that he or she has received all the required number of shots for his or her vaccine and at least 14 days have passed since the last dose. There will be exemptions given to children under 12 as well as those individuals with valid medical or religious exemptions from the vaccine. However, even those exempted will have to receive a negative test for COVID-19 within a 72 hour window or a negative COVID-19 antigen test within a 6 hour window.
Broadway is hoping to make a substantial comeback after being completely closed down throughout 2020. These new policies may negatively impact the business Broadway is able to conduct over the next few months.