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

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.

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

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

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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%.

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.

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

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