Another music venue in Minnesota has joined the list of businesses requiring proof of vaccination for visitors.
The Minnesota Orchestra, a Grammy-award winning orchestra that performs at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, announced that it will be requiring either proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID test prior to entering the music hall to attend a show. Vaccination must be completed 14 days prior to attending an event, the orchestra says.
The venue will also continue to require masks for everyone inside the building regardless of vaccination status, a measure that was reinstated on August 13. The maximum capacity has been 50% for all shows at Orchestra Hall throughout the summer.
The vaccine guidelines will be in place beginning Sept. 20 and will be applied to all visitors, musicians, employees, volunteers, and other guests inside the building.
The Minnesota Orchestra cited the Delta variant as the cause for its decision to require the COVID vaccine.
They “join with many other arts organizations throughout Minnesota, the Midwest, and the United States” by requiring proof of vaccination, with the hope of bringing “artists safely back to work and live music safely back to our communities,” an announcement reads.
“The organization’s updated COVID-19 protocols are an important next step in a continued creative approach to keep art alive during the pandemic,” reads a statement from the orchestra.
The orchestra will continue to monitor their policies and update mask guidance and audience capacity in line with the CDC’s recommendations.
Other music venues in the Twin Cities requiring proof of vaccination include First Avenue, The Palace Theatre, The Fitzgerald Theatre, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, The Guthrie, and the Fine Line. Venues run by Live Nation including The Fillmore Minneapolis and Varsity Theater will also require proof of vaccination or a negative test.
Health care facilities and other agencies have begun to require the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment, including Minnesota state agencies, the Minnesota State system, University of Minnesota campuses, Allina Health, Mayo Clinic, M Health Fairview, Sanford Health, and almost a dozen private universities.
Rose Williams
Rose Williams is an assistant editor for Alpha News.
