COVID rules still evolving at Bay Area venues — here’s the latest
Theaters, music venues and other performing arts spaces hit hard during the pandemic are slowly welcoming back live audiences or preparing to.
But with the delta variant continuing to lead a surge in COVID-19 cases, regulations are still evolving and becoming more stringent. New requirements are being announced by state as well as county and municipal officials and individual venues. Even some performers, such as Dead & Company, are setting their own safety requirements.
And the changes keep coming.
This week, California officials announced that beginning Sept. 20, anyone attending an indoor event in the state with 1,000 or more people must show proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID test within 72 hours of arrival. The previous threshold for the requirement was 5,000 or more people. Also, “self-attestation” will no longer be accepted; all vaccination/testing information must be proved by paper or digital means.
Meanwhile, San Francisco last week began requiring that anyone entering a gym, museum, restaurant, theater or other entertainment venue must show proof of vaccination.
On Sept. 20, San Jose will require that all attendees and staff of events of 50 or more people at city-owned facilities — such as the SAP Center, Convention Center and Center for Performing Arts — show proof of full vaccination. Like San Francisco, proof of negative COVID is not an option.
Even attending an outdoor event will likely a require vaccine/negative test proof, and masks are often required or strongly recommended.
Officials are encouraging people to retrieve their “Personal Digital COVID-19 Record” from the state of California by plugging in their name, birthday, cell phone number and a four-digit pin number to https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/. You’ll receive a link to a QR code that can be presented as proof of vaccination. People can also show their paper vaccine card or a photo of it.
If you’re headed to an event or show or going out to dinner, the most important rule is ALWAYS check the event or venue’s website for specific safety precautions. And do not assume you can buy tickets to any event at the door — in many cases, you can’t.
Here’s a rundown on how some Bay Area venues and arts groups’ requirements. that are operating or will reopen soon are handling COVID safety precautions.
SAP Center, San Jose: As of Sept. 20, all patrons, whether for sports or entertainment events, must have proof of full vaccination or negative COVID test received within 72 hours of the event. Click here for more information or visit www.sapcenter.com.
“Hamilton” at Orpheum Theatre, San Francisco: All ticketholders, regardless of age, must show proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID test within 72 hours of performance time. Proof of can be shown via the physical card or a picture/digital copy of the record. All patrons are required to wear masks inside the theatre at all times (except when consuming food or beverages).” More information, broadwaysf.com.
Fox Theater, Oakland: As of Sept. 15, all patrons will need to show proof of full vaccination received no less than two weeks prior to performance (until then, a negative COVID test within past 48 hours from the time of entry to the venue will also be acceoted). The venue encourages patrons to obtain a paperless Health Pass by CLEAR to ease access. Masks are quired inside. More information, apeconcerts.com.
Club Fox, Redwood City: Club Fox is requiring all patrons, employees and musicians to show paper or digital proof of vaccination. The 21-and-over club is currently operating with a reduced capacity. The adjacent Fox Theatre is not schedule to resume live appearances until October. More information, clubfoxrwc.com.
San Francisco Playhouse: The company is once again presenting live, indoor theater with reduced capacity. Visitors must present proof of vaccination. Masks are required. Productions are also offered via streaming. More details, www.sfplayhouse.org.
Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts: All patrons are required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status. Staff members and volunteers will also be wearing masks and social distancing will be practiced to the greatest extent possible. More information, mountainview.gov/depts/cs/mvcpa
Freight & Salvage, Berkeley: Patrons must show proof of full vaccination — paper or digital — and all guests must wear a mask. The club will operate at reduced capacity until Sept. 21. More information, thefreight.org.
The Independent, San Francisco: All patrons must show proof of vaccination, received at least two weeks before show date, or negative COVID test within last 48 hours. The club will be using the Health Pass by CLEAR paperless ID system. More information, theindependentsf.com.
Feinstein’s at the Nikko, San Francisco: The club is operating at reduced capacity, with all guests required to show proof of vaccination and masks required to gain entry. Masks may be removed while guests are seated. More information, www.feinsteinssf.com.
Greek Theatre, UC Berkeley: Attendees must show proof they have been fully vaccinated for no less than two weeks at show date, or proof of negative COVID test within 48 hours of curtain time. Venue recommends patrons use Health Pass/CLEAR paperless ID. For more information, visit apeconcerts.com.
Concord Pavilion: Beginning Oct. 4, all patrons must show proof of full vaccination at least two weeks prior to event or negative COVID test within 72 hours of show time. Precautions are subject to change per artists’ requests. Masks are strongly advised. The venue is using paperless ticket system exclusively (except for previously purchased tickets). More information, www.livenation.com/venue/KovZpZA7kdlA/concord-pavilion-events.
Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View: Beginning Oct. 4, all patrons must show proof of full vaccination at least two weeks prior to event or negative COVID test within 72 hours of show time. Precautions are subject to change per artists’ requests. Masks are strongly advised. The venue is using paperless ticket system exclusively (except for previously purchased tickets). More information, www.livenation.com/venue/KovZpZA6ta1A/shoreline-amphitheatre-events.
San Jose Theaters: Per San Jose city regulations, beginning Sept. 20, the San Jose Civic, Montgomery Theatre, California Theatre and Center for the Performing Arts will require proof of vaccination. Masks are required. More information, sanjosetheaters.org.
Rickshaw Stop, San Francisco: The patrons and performers must provide proof of vaccination, paper or digital. The club says all employees are vaccinated and the club will operate at reduced capacity for the time being. More information, rickshawstop.com.
Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz: All patrons and musicians must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within 72 hours of showtime. The club says staff is fully vaccinated. Masks are required except while eating or drinking. More information, kuumbwajazz.org.
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium: Patrons must show proof of full vaccination received no less than two weeks before showtime, per San Francisco regulations. Negative COVID test results are no longer accepted. The venue will be using the Health Pass/CLEAR paperless ID system. More information, apeconcerts.com.
The Marsh, San Francisco and Berkeley: Berkeley venue has reopened for live shows, San Francisco theaters Sept. 17. Both require proof of vaccination for entry and masks to be worn once inside. More information, themarsh.org.
Tabard Theatre, San Jose: Patrons must present proof of vaccination for all events. Venue information, tabardtheatre.org.
3Below Theaters, San Jose: The theater complex is screening movies and live events will return soon. Patrons over age 12 must show proof of vaccination. Masks are optional. Children 12 and under can enter if they are accompanied by a vaccinated adult and wear a mask. Those who purchased tickets and will not be vaccinated by showtime will be offered a chance to reschedule or get a refund. More information, www.3belowtheaters.com.
San Francisco Opera: Patrons 12 and over most show paper or digital proof of vaccination to enter War Memorial Opera House or Diane B. Wilsey Center for Opera. Masks are required at all performances. More information, sfopera.com.
San Francisco Symphony: Patrons must provide proof of full vaccination. Masks are required for entry and must be worn at all times, no gaiters or bandanas. More information, www.sfsymphony.org
SFJAZZ Center, San Francisco: Proof of full vaccination required. Masks are required for all patrons at all times in the venue. More information, sfjazz.org.
Splash, San Jose: The downtown bar and dance club requires proof of vaccination or negative COVID test within last 72 hours. More information, www.splashsj.com.
Yoshi’s in Oakland: Masks are required at all times except when eating or drinking. No vaccination requirements at this time but venue says all employees are fully vaccinated. More information, yoshis.com.
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