Broadway will maintain mask and vaccination requirements until April 30, the Broadway League said today.
The organization, which represents the owners and operators of the 41-seat Broadway, will meet again on April 15 to determine whether to continue Broadway Covid protocols after April 30.
April 30 coincides with the end of the current 2021-22 Broadway season. The league announced in February that the mask’s mandate would last until April 30, but at the time the owners and manufacturers would reconsider the policy on April 1 for a possible overhaul.
Broadway theaters require vaccinations for spectator members, as well as for performers, backstage crew and theater staff, masked spectators inside theaters, except when actively eating or drinking at designated venues.
The decision to keep current protocols was made after New York experienced a spike in Covid cases. Earlier in the day, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that the city would not abolish the mask mandate for children under 5 in schools and daycare centers. This mandate was originally scheduled for Monday.
The Broadway protocols, the league said in a statement today, are “ensuring the well-being and safety of the audience, cast and crew, and allowing Broadway to remain open.”
“The theater owners committee announced today that it will continue with the current protocols, which will be in effect until April 30,” said Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League. “They are monitoring the science and have decided to wait until April 15th, when they will confirm the protocols after April 30th.
Current Covid protocols on Broadway do not appear to have a negative impact on cash registers – recent reports at cash registers indicate a strong return to Omicron’s sad January growth rates. The total attendance was equal to or close to 90% of the seating capacity.
The news also comes today as Broadway prepares for a significant increase in the number of shows, with 16 new or returning shows arriving in April alone.
Source: Deadline
Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
