Ticketmaster Is Developing Plans to Verify Vaccination Statuses of Concertgoers
- by Leland Aguilar
- in Entertaiment
- — Nov 14, 2020
Billboard further explains that, after purchasing tickets, fans will be required to verify that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or tested negative for the virus 24-72 hours before the concert.
"Ticketmaster does not have the power to set policies around safety/entry requirements, which would include vaccines and/or testing protocols, a spokesperson for Ticketmaster said". Safety parameters will be set by regional health officials and event organizers.
A report shared by Billboard on Wednesday details that Ticketmaster (the ticketing arm of concert production giant Live Nation) is working to develop multi-step guidelines for how fans can purchase tickets when concerts and festivals return, possibly as soon as summer and fall 2021.
After buying a ticket, attendees would need to verify if they've been vaccinated or have received a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken 24 to 72 hours before the show.
In the wake of news that a coronavirus vaccine has a 90% efficacy in an initial trial under development by pharmaceutical company Pfizer, Ticketmaster has announced a plan to verify the vaccine status of concert-goers before attending concerts.
They also say the decision to use the new verification system will be left up to event organizers and therefore will not necessarily apply to all tickets bought through the distributor.
The live music industry has all but ceased to exist thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. Live concerts are cancelled in most parts of Canada.
Fans who cleared the screening would be granted credentials needed to attend the event, and those who tested positive for COVID-19, or failed to provide test results or proof of vaccination, would be barred from attending. This format will have to follow the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Billboard reported that Ticketmaster would not have access to users' medical records and would not store their results or medical information. Ticketmaster's new SmartEvent system would help make the venues as COVID secure as possible. This would involve substantial data sharing, something that Ticketmaster has already developed a reputation for embracing, particularly when forcing consumers to use mobile-only technology.
"In order for live events to return, technology and science are going to play huge roles in establishing integrated protocols so that fans, artists, and employees feel safe returning to venues", said Herman.
It remains to be seen what their final plan will be and how fans will respond to it.
