People walk past the Broadway district in New York City. Photo: Jeenah Moon/The Washington Post via Getty Images
All 41 Broadway theaters in New York City will require guests to provide proof they are fully vaccinated and wear masks to attend performances, the Broadway League announced Friday.
The big picture: The announcement comes as cases of the Delta variant continue to rise, prompting mask mandates and requirements to reemerge nationwide. Broadway theaters are set to open late summer, 16 months after theaters shuttered their doors due to the pandemic.
Between the lines: The policy is currently in effect for all performances through Oct. 31, and it will be reassessed after that date.
- All audience members will be required to provide proof of full vaccination — 14 days after a second dose of an FDA- or WHO-authorized COVID-19 vaccine, or 14 days after a single dose of an approved one-shot vaccine — as well as a government-issued photo ID, per Broadway Direct.
- Children who are under 12 and ineligible for COVID-19 vaccines can still attend performances, but they will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test.
- Masks will also be required for all guests, vaccinated or not, and they must be worn at all times except when eating or drinking.
What they're saying: "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," president of the Broadway League Charlotte St. Martin said in a statement.
- "A uniform policy across all New York City Broadway theaters makes it simple for our audiences and should give even more confidence to our guests about how seriously Broadway is taking audience safety."