World (AFP)
Broadway theaters, closed since March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, will require the public and all teams to be vaccinated once again, starting in September, they announced on Friday.
"The 41 Broadway theaters in New York will require vaccination of the public, as well as performers, backstage crew and theater staff, for all performances," the Broadway League said in a statement, adding that this policy will be in place until October 31.
In addition, the public will have to wear a mask, except during the moments of restoration, "in dedicated spaces", adds the association of producers and operators.
The only exceptions to the obligation to be vaccinated, children under 12, certain medical reasons "or an intimate religious belief that prevents vaccination", but in these cases, it will be necessary to justify a negative test for Covid.
"Moulin Rouge", "Tina", "Hamilton", most of the musicals on Broadway, New York's cultural lung, resume from September and October, but the reopening of the theaters will be spread throughout. autumn.
The "Springsteen on Broadway" concert, which has already restarted, is also reserved for vaccinated audiences.
The Broadway League is considering a reassessment of its rules in September, with the possibility of relaxing them starting in November.
This week, the Metropolitan Opera has already made a similar announcement, applicable to the public and to all its employees, in a context of resurgence of Covid cases because of the Delta variant, which revives the debate on compulsory vaccination.
The US presidency announced Thursday that all federal employees - millions of people - will need to be vaccinated or comply with a series of restrictions.
The states of New York and California have also taken steps in this direction for their officials.
© 2021 AFP