NEW YORK — Broadway audiences, performers and staff will have to provide proof of vaccination for COVID-19 and wear face masks inside the theater at least through October, the Broadway League announced Friday.
The policy, which applies to all 41 Broadway theaters in New York City, will require guests to be fully vaccinated, meaning they must show proof of receiving their last dose — or single-dose vaccine — at least 14 days before the performance date.
Exceptions will be made for children under 12 years old and people with a medical condition or “closely held religious belief that prevents vaccination,” the league said. But those guests will have to show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the performance start time or a negative rapid test taken within six hours prior to the show.
Audiences may also remove their masks for eating and drinking in designated areas, according the league, which includes theater owners, operators, producers, presenters and general managers.
“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,” league President Charlotte St. Martin said in a 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,” St. Martin said.
The organization plans to review its coronavirus policies in September for performances in November and beyond.
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