Broadway Mask and Vaccination Requirements Update: Do You Need a Mask and Proof of Vaccination to See a Broadway Show?


Latest Broadway Shows Mask and Vaccination Requirements for 2022-2023 Season:

UPDATE May 23, 2022: Broadway Mask and Vaccination Requirements

Masks are still required in Broadway theaters through at least June 30, 2022 . A further extension of the mask policy may go into July 2022 and beyond will be considered at the end of June. Proof of vaccination is no longer required at most theatres.

The decision comes after New York City health officials announced that the COVID alert level had recently been escalated to “high.” This came with guidance that all New Yorkers should wear masks in indoor settings, though Mayor Eric Adams said earlier this week that “we are not at the point of mandating masks.”

Adams added “By maintaining our audience masking requirement through at least the month of June, we intend to continue that track record of safety for all, despite the Omicron subvariants.”

The wearing of masks has been a requirement in Broadway theaters since the industry reopened last year after an eighteen month hiatus.

UPDATE May 2, 2022: Broadway Mask and Vaccination Requirements

Broadway Mask Requirements

The owners and operators of all 41 Broadway theatres in New York City have extended the current mask requirement for audiences through at least May 31, 2022. So masks are still required for all patrons.

Audience masking protocols for June 2022 and beyond will be announced in late May 2022, but are expected to still be required throughout the summer 2022 as the COVID infection rate just ticked up in the NYC area. although the hospitalization rate is way down.

Is this thing over already? Apparently the virus is not done with us yet.

Broadway Vaccine Requirements

Most Broadway theatres now will no longer check vaccination status at the door.

Which Broadway theatres still require to see vaccination status? It appears that some of the artsy-fartsy Broadway theatres still require proof of vaccine, while everyone else has dropped the requirement.

The Broadway Theatres that still need a proof of a COVID-19 vaccination include:

  • Vivian Beaumont Theatre
  • Samuel J Friedman Theatre
  • Roundabout Theatre

Cast and Crew COVID Requirements

The cast and crew requirements of every Broadway show require daily COVID testing and up-to-date vaccinations and boosters. This is designed to alleviate any concerns that Broadway patrons may have of contracting the virus at the show. Obviously the actors do not wear masks on stage.

Many top Broadway stars have been getting sick with COVID and they are required to be out of their show for at least 10 days before they can return to work after testing negative three times.

UPDATE April 15, 2022: Broadway Mask and Vaccination Requirements

As Broadway show casts and crews continue to get sick with COVID-19 and show cancellations abound, all Broadway theatres in New York City have extended the current mask requirement for audiences through at least May 31, 2022. Most theatres will no longer check vaccination status after April 30, 2022.

Broadway is not lifting its mask and vaccination requirements for patrons, despite New York City a bit of easing in the mask and vaccination rules in almost every other location. The current Broadway mandate requires proof of vaccination and mask wearing from all theatergoers.

Shows Still Require All Patrons To Show a Vaccine Card and Wear a Mask. Tickets Will Be Refunded If Patrons Cannot Comply

The COVID-19 Safety Protocols For Adults and Children

  • Proof of vaccine
  • Masks

Broadway theatres have established COVID-19 safety measures for adults including, but not limited to, a requirement to show proof of being fully vaccinated within at least 14 days of the show and a requirement to wear a mask at all times inside the theatre regardless of vaccination status.

Children: Proof of Vaccine is Now Required

Children aged 5 to 11 must show proof of receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to attend a Broadway show. They must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult. If the child has been vaccinated less than 14 days before the performance, he or she must also provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test for entry.

Broadway theatres had previously offered the option for children in that age range to just show proof of a negative COVID-19 test for admittance, without the need to be vaccinated.

The policy update follows new rules announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio, in which children in that age range must present proof of one dose of the vaccine for entry to theaters, indoor dining, gyms and other indoor entertainment venues.

Accepted Forms of Proof of Vaccination - Vaccine Cards and Approved Vaccine Passports

  • A genuine vaccine card with CDC logo
  • NY Excelsior mobile phone app QR code
  • NYC Covid Safe app QR code

Invalid Forms of Proof of Vaccination - Including Non-Approved Vaccine Passports

  • A photo on your phone of your vaccine card
  • A physical copy of your vaccine card
  • A fake vaccine card
  • Clear Health Pass
  • CommonPass
  • VeriFLY
  • Clear
  • IATA Travel Pass
  • VaxYes
  • VaccTrack

Negative Test No Longer Accepted

Proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of the performance is no longer acceptable. The NYC Mayor is erring on the side of caution as many Broadway theatres have terrible air management and seats are very close to each other.

The Mayor also believes that the vaccine does not stop the spread of the virus, just lessens the symptoms and reduces hospitalization.

NYC Issues New Vaccine Requirements for Children in Broadway Theatres

Proof of vaccination is now required for children aged 5 to 11 to attend Broadway theatre. Under the new rules, which take effect Dec. 14 2021, children in that age group must have received one dose of the vaccine to attend an indoor performance.

Broadway Performance Cancellation

If any Broadway performance is cancelled, ticket buyers will receive a notification of the show cancellation and will be issued a full refund for the ticket purchase. No rainchecks, credit or vouchers will be supplied, just full refunds.

Unable To Meet COVID-19 Requirements?

If patrons cannot comply with the ever-changing list of government COVID-19 requirements your tickets will need to be cancelled. You will receive a notification of cancellation and issued a full refund for your purchase.

Broadway Producers Attempt to Avoid Lawsuits If Patrons Get Infected With COVID

All patrons must agree that everyone who enters the theatre will need to comply with the most current COVID-19 measures on the day of the performance and may still get infected with COVID-19, even with all the safeguards in place. The only true safeguard is to not attend any Broadway show at all.

Official Vaccination Policies For Each Broadway Theatre Landlord

Look up each show on our Broadway Show List to determine which is the theatre landlord for each show

List of Broadway Landlords with largest first:

Fake Vaccination Cards at Broadway Shows

Any attempt to use a fake vaccination card at a Broadway show will be reported to the Police. Users will be subject to arrest and prosecution, as this is now deemed a Federal offense,

False Statements Violation of Federal Law

The use of a fake vaccination card at a Broadway show is a violation of Federal Code 8 U.S.C. § 1343, making false statements related to health case. It is also a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1035, for wire fraud. If convicted, fake vaccine card users can face a maximum statutory prison sentence of 20 years for the wire fraud charge and 5 years for the false statements charge.

Fine and Jail Time

In addition, each charge carries a maximum $250,000 fine and 3 years of supervised release. Although, no one in the United States has yet ever been prosecuted for using a fake vaccination card.

Judgement Subject to Consideration of US Sentencing Guidelines

A sentence following a potential conviction would have to be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.