Live Concert Events Reopening – Covid Guidelines in NJ

Finally! Live concerts and events are reemerging after a long year impacted by Covid-19. Small and outdoor stages are seeing strong demand for tickets to shows and people begin to wonder what to expect regarding ticket buying, social distancing measures, vaccinations, and if they have to wear a mask. We hear so much about it, but there seem to be more questions than answers.  Here’s what to expect with the ever-changing measures for live events.

Specifically, in the state of New Jersey, Governor Murphy recently confirmed that events can now return at full capacity.  The current health and safety guidelines remain in place including wearing a face mask and physical distancing. These guidelines apply to outdoor venues like Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, BB&T Pavillon in Camden, and the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel these are just some of the perfect venues that can work with actually putting on events and for concert-goers to feel safe. 

A spokeswoman who specifically works in New Jersey can not confirm if these events are going to require proof of vaccination or offer rapid covid tests at these venues. They are still working on this and will update information as shows get closer. A lot of artists have already rescheduled dates originally from 2020 until even 2022. But as more people get vaccinated the odds are looking better into live events opening up full force this summer. But as the events get closer there is still no confirmed news on what is going to happen once you buy a ticket and if you are going to need to prove your vaccination. 

Since every state is different in its covid-19 measures and protocol it even becomes more confusing. Ticketmaster, a popular ticket-selling site seems to have some answers. As part of the preparation, they have been developing a framework for post-pandemic fan safety that uses smartphones to verify fans’ vaccination status or whether they tested negative for the virus within a 24 to 72-hour window. Although this is still in its development phase it is a great idea into getting events back in order safely. Live Nation President says "The more people that get the vaccine, the more everybody can get back to concerts."

Here are some safety protocols for now that Ticketmaster's venues will be providing for future events (status may change due to developing safety policies):