EarRelevant Staff | 23 AUG 2021
ATLANTA, GA— The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra has announced that all audience members must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend upcoming performances. The new policy will go into effect for performances beginning Sept. 1, 2021. Patrons will be asked to show proof of vaccination upon arrival, and guests who are unvaccinated must provide a negative COVID-19 test taken 72 hours prior to the performance, as well as a matching photo ID (guests younger than 18 will not be required to show an ID), such as a driver’s license or passport. This policy will be instated for all performances in Atlanta Symphony Hall.
The vaccination requirement for patrons was decided after careful consideration and consultation with local health experts and the CDC to keep audiences, musicians and staff safe. Vaccinations will also be required for staff, patron-facing volunteers, musicians, chorus members and guest artists. In addition to the vaccination requirement, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will require all patrons to wear face masks, unless eating or drinking in designated areas. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra has implemented contactless ticket scanning and the entire Woodruff Arts Center campus has been equipped with new HVAC ionization systems.
“The safety of our patrons, artists and staff is the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s top priority. We cannot wait to return to live performances and welcome audiences back to Symphony Hall,” ASO executive director Jennifer Barlament said in the orchestra’s press release. “The vaccination requirement is intended to give our patrons additional confidence to join us, knowing that we’re doing everything we can to create the safest environment to once again enjoy live musical performances.”
On the same day as the ASO’s announcement, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine received full approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
According to U.S. surgeon general Dr. Vivek Murthy, the approval could serve two major purposes: convince employers to make vaccination a requirement for their workers (and in some cases, like the ASO, their customers) and prompt hesitant or intransigent Americans to get the shots.
“For businesses and universities that have been thinking about putting vaccine requirements in place in order to create safer spaces for people to work and learn, I think that this move from the FDA … will actually help them to move forward with those kinds of plans,” Murthy told CNN on Sunday.
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will continue to closely monitor local, state, and federal policies regarding indoor activities and plan safety protocols accordingly. In order to allow patrons time to adhere to the new vaccination protocols, the ASO will not require proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test for performances prior to September 1, 2021. Specific health and safety protocols are subject to change and will be clearly communicated to ticket holders in advance of their visit.
Single tickets for the ASO’s 77th classical season also went on sale Monday. For details on the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s new vaccination requirement, visit: www.aso.org/health-safety ■
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