Coachella 2019. Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for Coachella.
Entertainment company AEG has announced a vaccine mandate for every employee and attendees at its upcoming festivals and any event at an AEG-owned venue, according to a Variety report. The mandate will cover a large swatch of concerts, as AEG is one of the biggest live entertainment companies in the country.
Jay Marciano, COO of AEG and chairman-CEO of AEG Presents, said in a statement that the continuing Delta variant surge and plateauing vaccination rates drove the company to its decision. “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. We realize 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 event workers.”
The policy will begin on October 1. Up until that date, attendees and crew will be required to show either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the concert date.
AEG's network of venues and festivals includes Coachella, Day N Vegas, New York City's Webster Hall, L.A.'s Roxy, and many more. “Our hope is that our pro-active stance encourages people to do the right thing and get vaccinated,” Marciano continued in his statement. “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.”