Ticketmaster plan: Proof of virus test or vaccine
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Ticketmaster is planning to roll out a post-pandemic plan that would require fans to provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a negative coronavirus test result in order to be granted access to an event, Billboard reported.
The goal of Ticketmaster’s plan, which is in the development phase, is for fans to have been tested or vaccinated in the hopes of avoiding on-site COVID-19 testing, according to the exclusive report.
Customers would need to provide a negative test result about 24 to 72 hours before the event, based on parameters set by local health authorities. Customers would then authorize vaccine distribution providers, like Labcorp or CVS Minute Clinic, to send their results to a health pass company, like CLEAR or IBM.
This would come after a customer purchases tickets to an event. If the test result is negative, the lab will notify Ticketmaster, who then will grant the customer access to their tickets. If they test positive or haven’t shown proof of vaccination, they won’t be allowed to attend the event. Ticketmaster will not have access to medical records and would only receive verification status of the customer in question, Billboard reported.
“Ticketmaster’s goal is to provide enough flexibility and options that venues and fans have multiple paths to return to events, and is working to create integrations to our API and leading digital ticketing technology as we will look to tap into the top solutions based on what’s green-lit by officials and desired by clients,” Ticketmaster president Mark Yovich told Billboard.
Despite the ticketing giant’s plans to explore proof of vaccinations or results, Ticketmaster said it “does not set policies around safety/entry requirements, which include vaccines and/or testing protocols, and will continue to work with event organizers on all safety protocols. It will ultimately be up to each event organizer to set future requirements.
“We are exploring a number of safety features for event organizers to utilize as they look to welcome fans back to events,” a statement from Ticketmaster said. “This includes social distancing, contactless entry and more. Any screening requirements will be up to the individual event organizer and local health guidelines, and not Ticketmaster. Please note that no changes have been implemented at this time. Should changes take place in the future, all ticket holders will be alerted.”
Ticketmaster’s announcement comes three days after Pfizer reported a 90% effectiveness rate of its COVID-19 vaccine.
Country artists like Morgan Wallen are ready to start booking concerts again after witnessing large crowds taking place in post-election celebrations across the U.S.
“The hypocrisy is unreal,” Wallen wrote on Instagram on Sunday, after sharing footage of a crowd gathered at Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C. “Time to start booking shows. .. If you don’t agree with me, fine. We can still be friends. But I have a family, band, and crew that need to be provided for and taken care of. If it’s OK for us to party in the streets with no ‘social distancing’ then we can book shows right now.”