The Public Theater To Now Require Negative Test Along With Vaccination- Page 2

[jdrye222]

Posted: 12/19/21 at 1:26am

This is actually wildly impractical, but worse, it really does such a disservice to the Public Theater overall …. I get it that people are scared (though I really have been astonished by the fear-based nonsense in the media having such sway …. Especially since by now we need to accept that this virus is part of life now, and the fact that this “variant” seems to be mild). But this is total overreach, and I predict that in the next few days, they will either close the Public Theater for weeks or the Public will reverse their plan on this policy. 

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/19/21 at 1:49am

I am totally fine with this and what The Met is doing. This variant seems to be mild now. I look at these requirements as preventative. This past summer we were told we could take our masks off if we were vaccinated. And people did, Then Bango, Delta hit. Better safe than sorry. Hopefully this variant will be the last. But I am not betting on that just yet.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 12/19/21 at 7:41am

uncageg said: "I am totally fine with this and what The Met is doing. This variant seems to be mild now. I look at these requirements as preventative. This past summer we were told we could take our masks off if we were vaccinated. And people did, Then Bango, Delta hit. Better safe than sorry. Hopefully this variant will be the last. But I am not betting on that just yet."

The Met's policy makes sense. Boosters are free and readily available in the US. Unless the Public wants to mail people at-home tests or open up a free testing location outside the theater, then yes, it's putting too much burden on audience members. 

[HogansHero]

Posted: 12/19/21 at 10:11am

jdrye222 said: "This is actually wildly impractical, but worse, it really does such a disservice to the Public Theater overall …. I get it that people are scared (though I really have been astonished by the fear-based nonsense in the media having such sway …. Especially since by now we need to accept that this virus is part of life now, and the fact that this “variant” seems to be mild). But this is total overreach, and I predict that in the next few days, they will either close the Public Theater for weeks or the Public will reverse their plan on this policy."

I agree. It is a hare-brained scheme; I hope we learn its etiology. I feel bad for anyone whose show is scheduled because very few audience members can and will jump through the hoops. If they wanted to go on hiatus (and unless we hear of effective protocols for cast and crew by early next week, that seems all but inevitable), they should've just done so because that's the net effect. 

I also agree re the Met's policy. 

Another idea I have seen in the last few days and that has had implementation in some museums is a more stringent mask requirement to make sure that more effective masks are the standard. From the Guggenheim: "Bring your three-ply face mask, N-95, or equivalent to keep yourself and one another safe." This is a rule that makes sense and is practical.

Updated On: 12/19/21 at 10:11 AM

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 12/19/21 at 10:12am

I won’t return to the Public til this ends. I appreciate they mean well, but at home tests are not cheap and free tests are too unreliable in wait time. 

[brdway411]

Posted: 12/19/21 at 5:14pm

City Winery is now requiring negative test too. $40 at the door. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/19/21 at 5:22pm

Wait - they’re charging $40 for a rapid test at the door??

[brdway411]

Posted: 12/19/21 at 5:27pm

Jordan Catalano said: "Wait - they’re charging $40 for a rapid test at the door??"

 

From City Winery site

"Dear City Winery Friends and Family,

At this stage in the pandemic, with new variants on the rise again, we will continue to create an environment that is as safe as possible moving forward. Due to the rapidly changing nature of the COVID-19 virus, City Winery will now require all restaurant and ticket holders to show a negative COVID-19 test for entry (PCR test within the previous 24 hours or a rapid test taken within 6 hours before the event date) in addition to proof of full vaccination status. Restaurant guests who require a rapid test will be subject to a $40 food and beverage minimum."

 

Channel 7 ABC said it was $40 at the foor for a test. 

Either way. It's $40 you are spending one way or the other. 

Updated On: 12/19/21 at 05:27 PM

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 12/19/21 at 5:34pm

I admire what they are trying to do with this policy, but it is completely untenable right now. It’s virtually impossible to get a test without waiting in the freezing cold for a minimum of 2-3 hours right now. Not everyone is able to do it, and some who are able will understandably not be willing to. 

[soulmistin]

Posted: 12/19/21 at 5:36pm

BroadwayGirl107 said: "I admire what they are trying to do with this policy, but it is completely untenable right now. It’s virtually impossible to get a test without waiting in the freezing cold for a minimum of 2-3 hours right now. Not everyone is able to do it, and some who are able will understandably not be willing to."

I don't know what the universal standard is right now, but my company and some others have designated sites through 40th-50th street for Broadway exclusive testing with little to no wait. It's worked very well so far and we've had a great track record. I don't see why others couldn't hypothetically do it.

[Theater3232]

Posted: 12/19/21 at 7:35pm

With high premium prices, if people don't pay, the prices come down. 

Similarly, if vaccinated people request refunds or won't buy tickets since they think a Covid test policy is too onerous (given the high cost for a private test or a long wait for a free test), the policy will go away.  Also, who's to say someone was negative in the morning, but has since picked it up at the supermarket or on the subway ride to the venue?

Updated On: 12/19/21 at 07:35 PM

[Patty3]

Posted: 12/19/21 at 7:53pm

If this is adopted by other theaters I may limit my theater attendance and pre-covid I would regularly see 2-3 show a month. I had one of the most stressful weeks right before we were seeing Cursed Child two wks ago. I found out a week before that my 8 yr old nephew needed a Covid test either 72 hrs or a Rapid test 6 hrs before the show. He had his first vaccine dose but would only be at 12 days and not the required minimum 14 day window on the day of the show. We managed to get him an appt just within the 72 hrs and the test results came back negative. But I was stressed worrying that we wouldn’t get the test results back in time. The other option was a rapid test within 6 hours of the show. Good luck finding a place to test on a Sunday morning with a 1 pm curtain. 

[Babe_Williams]

Posted: 12/20/21 at 8:50am

Sutton Ross said: "People won't be willing to do this unless it's seriously worth it. So, unless they have a Hamilton on their hands currently, most people won't care to stand in a line for hours on end when they are vaccinated."

THIS. I'm covid cautious, I am triple vaxxed, but having to get tested is just not something i am going to do, especially since tests are scarce and insurance does not cover the cost unless your doctor orders it. Is it the smart thing to do? Yes, absolutely. But it is going to hurt the shows.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 12/20/21 at 9:09am

If theatres start testing requirements it will be a nail in the coffin. People will just seek refunds and wait it out. 
 

Testing options aren’t at a place yet where they can deal with this kind of demand. Also people can’t afford multiple tests in a week. 

[HogansHero]

Posted: 12/20/21 at 9:45am

Babe_Williams said: "tests are scarce and insurance does not cover the cost unless your doctor orders it.

huh? INCORRECT.

Is it the smart thing to do? Yes, absolutely.

how so? INCORRECT

But it is going to hurt the shows."

CORRECT

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 12/20/21 at 10:01am

HogansHero said: "Babe_Williams said: "tests are scarce and insurance does not cover the cost unless your doctor orders it.

huh? INCORRECT.

Is it the smart thing to do? Yes, absolutely.

how so? INCORRECT

But it is going to hurt the shows."

CORRECT"

Rapid tests for home are not free. So, YOU are incorrect.

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 12/20/21 at 10:16am

To me, It just comes across as a public relations attempt to do something, even if it doesn't help the issue at hand. As far as I can tell, no one is blaming masked and vaccinated audience members for contributing to this spread, so I really don't get what they're doing. At this point, boosters should be required, but that's it, and I won't get a test just to see a show. I don't think anyone should worry about this becoming a thing on Broadway, because it'll never happen.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 12/20/21 at 1:40pm

Bettyboy72 said: "If theatres start testing requirements it will be a nail in the coffin. People will just seek refunds and wait it out.

Testing options aren’t at a place yet where they can deal with this kind of demand. Also people can’t afford multiple tests in a week."

100%. 

[blaxx]

Posted: 12/20/21 at 1:44pm

Bettyboy72 said: "If theatres start testing requirements it will be a nail in the coffin. People will just seek refunds and wait it out.


Testing options aren’t at a place yet where they can deal with this kind of demand. Also people can’t afford multiple tests in a week."

Totally, as a non NYC resident this will be it for me. The hassle is bigger than any pay out.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 12/20/21 at 1:50pm

They should've done what the Armory did this past summer. They set up a system whereby every audience member got a rapid test in-house before the performance. And they actually had it running very smoothly so it was hardly an inconvenience for the audience, aside from having to arrive early (which is doable). 

Yes, the Armory's system couldn't have been cheap, but if any other theatre in NY could do it, it would be the Public. And the financial fallout from enforcing this rule during a mainstage production might be worse for them. 

[GlitterandBeGay2]

Posted: 12/20/21 at 11:50pm

The policy will be in force at least through January 30th and the only thing that will be running (as far as I can tell from the confusing website) is the Under the Radar Festival in January which takes place at The Public and "partner venues."  I have a feeling this extra requirement will be done away with by then so audiences can return for the regular season shows without the hassle.  I echo y'all--not a very well thought out change in health and safety protocols.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 12/21/21 at 10:03am

UPDATE: It's now 72 hours instead of 24. Much more feasible.

[kwoc91]

Posted: 12/21/21 at 11:02am

72 hours is more feasible but also pretty useless as an accurate gauge of someone's potential infectiousness, especially with Omicron's contagiousness. 

[Anakela]

Posted: 12/21/21 at 11:47am

HogansHero said: "UPDATE: It's now 72 hours instead of 24. Much more feasible."

Still an absolute inconvenience for attending the Under the Radar festival. I'm looking at at least three tests in January just for The Public alone, which also feels unfair to testing facilities... 

Besides the fact that I have been waiting since Friday (it's now Tuesday) for my current PCR test, so 72 hours isn't that feasible right now either, but hopefully some of that delay will die down after holiday travels.

Updated On: 12/21/21 at 11:47 AM

[HogansHero]

Posted: 12/21/21 at 12:36pm

iluvtheatertrash said: "Rapid tests for home are not free. So, YOU are incorrect."

But we are not talking about home tests...

@Anakela I agree it is still a nuisance and also basically just window dressing. FWIW the lines I walked past this morning were much shorter than the last few days so hopefully the inconvenience will be less but it is still silly.