Governors Ball, Bonnaroo Festivals Require Vaccinations or Negative COVID Tests
Over the past week, the Governors Ball and Bonnaroo music festivals announced that they will require COVID-19 vaccinations or negative tests upon entry. The Manchester, TN-based Bonnaroo festival will run from Sept. 2 through 5. Governors Ball will take place at the Citi Field in New York City from Sept. 24 through 26.
Bonnaroo made the announcement via Twitter on Aug. 10. According to the post, they “strongly encourage” vaccination, and the last day to receive the second dose of Moderna or Pfizer and single dose of Johnson and Johnson is Aug. 19.
Those attending Bonnaroo who have not been fully vaccinated must have a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of entering the festival. Unvaccinated individuals are also expected to wear a mask on the grounds.
“The safety of our patrons and staff is our number one priority,” Bonnaroo said in a Tweet.
Likewise, the Governors Ball Music Festival tweeted the same messaging about requiring either a full vaccination or negative COVID-19 test result. Patrons must obtain the negative test within the same 72-hour time frame as Bonnaroo.
The Governors Ball tweet also contained a link to learn more about COVID-19 vaccines or locate a vaccination site.
Live Nation’s COVID Guidelines
The health policies of both festivals align with their presenter, Live Nation, one of America’s largest live entertainment companies. Other festivals such as Rolling Loud California and Austin City Limits also fall under the Live Nation umbrella.
Live Nation recently updated its COVID-19 policy, requiring artist, crew members, and attendees at any of their festivals to provide a negative COVID-19 test result or proof of vaccination after Oct. 4. Before this change, artists could decide whether to require vaccines.
“Vaccines are going to be your ticket back to shows,” said Live Nation president and CEO Michael Rapino in a statement last Friday. “As of October 4th we will be following the model we developed for Lollapalooza and requiring this for artists, fans and employees at Live Nation venues and festivals everywhere possible in the U.S.”
The policy change follows Live Nation’s requirement of proof of vaccine or a negative test at Lollapalooza in Chicago, running from July 29 through Aug. 1.
“Twelve percent of fans said Lolla was actually their reason for getting vaccinated – which is a huge number with 400k attendees throughout the weekend,” a spokesperson said in a statement to NBC News.
Employees of Live Nation will also be required to get vaccinated by the Oct. 4 deadline in order to gain entry to venues, offices, and events.