Coachella promoters, AEG Presents are planning to implement a rule on the 1st of October that means proof of a full COVID-19 vaccination will be required for entry.
AEG Presents operates globally and along with other festivals also runs The O2 Arena plus a number of other venue spaces, and it’s expected that this new vaccination requirement will be implemented across their locations in America.
The double vaccination rule also applies to staff in addition to those attending the events as crowd members. Commenting on the company’s new policy, AEG’s CEO, Jay Marciano, said “We have come to the conclusion that, as a market leader, it was up to us to take a real stand on vaccination status.
“Just a few weeks ago, we were optimistic about where our business, and country, were heading. The Delta variant, combined with vaccine hesitancy, is pushing us in the wrong direction again.”
Anyone wishing to attend an AEG event must have received a second COVID-19 jab 72 hours beforehand. Coachella is just one of many AEG events taking on the new regulation, there are 48 more clubs and theatres across the US including their other festivals such as Firefly and Day N Vegas.
Jay Marciano continued to say, “We realise that some people might look at this as a dramatic step, but it’s the right one.
“We also are aware that there might be some initial pushback, but I’m confident and hopeful that, at the end of the day, we will be on the right side of history and doing what’s best for artists, fans, and live events workers.”
October 1st was selected as the date that AEG Presents plans to implement their rule because they are aware that people need time to get their vaccinations, including the younger demographics that the jab has not yet been available to.
Jay Marciano also added that AEG’s proactive stance on vaccination requirements was aimed to encourage everyone to “do the right thing”, saying, “I think everyone can agree that we don’t want concerts to go away again, and this is the best way to keep that from happening.”
H/T: Mixmag
