NEW YORK — Broadway is extending its COVID-19 vaccination and mask requirements through the end of February.
The Broadway League announced Monday that proof of vaccination will continue to be required for all audience members, performers, backstage crew and venue staff for all shows through Feb. 28.
Audiences will also be required to keep wearing masks except when eating or drinking in specific areas.
The rules apply to all 41 Broadway theaters.
Children under the age of 12 who attend Broadway shows will need to provide either proof of one dose of a vaccine at least 14 days before a show, a negative PCR test within 72 hours of a show, or a negative rapid antigen test within six hours of a show.
International guests must provide proof of two doses of any “mix and match” combination of an FDA or World Health Organization (WHO)-approved COVID-19 vaccine.
The announcement of the new rules comes on the same day the U.S. lifted a ban on international travel for fully vaccinated tourists.
One such visitor to New York City, Talia Gridish of Israel, said being back for Broadway's latest "opening night" on Monday made the trip all the more meaningful.
"It's amazing," Gridish said. "After COVID, everyone was at home, and now it’s all open."
And it was a big deal for Broadway, too.
Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League, says in a regular year, international tourists make up between 15 to 20% of theater-goers.
"They’re terrific theater-goers when they come to the city," St. Martin told NY1. "They get tickets to several shows, and spend a lot of time and money in New York City, which is great."
St. Martin said in the last regular season several million children came out to shows. And while it’s still too early to tell exactly how the border opening back up will impact ticket sales, she’s optimistic.
"We know there’s a lot of pent-up demand, certainly from our traditional cities like London and all over Europe, and South America, and of course Canada," St. Martin said.
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