New COVID guidelines create change for summer concerts, Blues Fest
Nate Gross performing at the 2019 Chenango Blues Fest. This year's festival, and the NBT Bank Summer Concert Series, will be moving forward mostly unencumbered by COVID-19 restrictions. (Sun archive photo)
NORWICH — After Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday that most COVID mandates would be lifted, the Chenango Blues Association announced they would be updating their guidelines for the NBT Bank Summer Concert Series and the Chenango Blues Fest.
Earlier this week, Chenango Blues Association Representative Eric Larsen acknowledged that the guidelines change rapidly, and stated, "The minute we're allowed to go back to doing it the old way we will." It seems that day came sooner rather than later.
Now, the Summer Concert Series will look a lot like it used to, according to Larsen.
"So our understanding is that the press conference yesterday by Governor Cuomo and accompanying press release says that outdoor events no longer need to do the COVID screening," said Larsen. "For our Thursday night shows, no more need for fences, for checking vaccination, it's a huge improvement."
He also stated that masking and social distancing will now be "on the honor system," as they will not be checking for proof of vaccination.
"We will have signage advising people who have not been vaccinated that they should wear masks and social distance," said Larsen. "We are still looking to follow the guidance and right now the guidance would be that if you aren't vaccinated you should socially distance and wear a mask, but it will be on the honor system."
As for Blues Fest, things will mostly go back to normal, according to Larsen. The only difference will be the tickets.
"The difference now will be we'll just have to scan your ticket when you come in, there won't be any other checking," Larsen explained. "It will be very much like it was in the past with the only difference being that you can't walk up and buy your ticket that day, you have to use the Simpletix platform."
While much of these events will run on the honor system when it comes to COVID, Larsen stated that the health and safety of their visitors is still something he is being mindful of.
"We're still going to do the advanced cleaning and the signage and the hand washing station and all of that to keep people safe," said Larsen.
Overall, Larsen said he is glad for the changes and breathing a sigh of relief.
"We are certainly very relieved," he said. "It certainly opens it up to people who maybe wouldn't have been vaccinated yet or didn't want to get vaccinated."
For more information on the NBT Bank Summer Concert Series or the Chenango Blues Festival, visit chenangobluesfest.org.
Earlier this week, Chenango Blues Association Representative Eric Larsen acknowledged that the guidelines change rapidly, and stated, "The minute we're allowed to go back to doing it the old way we will." It seems that day came sooner rather than later.
Now, the Summer Concert Series will look a lot like it used to, according to Larsen.
"So our understanding is that the press conference yesterday by Governor Cuomo and accompanying press release says that outdoor events no longer need to do the COVID screening," said Larsen. "For our Thursday night shows, no more need for fences, for checking vaccination, it's a huge improvement."
He also stated that masking and social distancing will now be "on the honor system," as they will not be checking for proof of vaccination.
"We will have signage advising people who have not been vaccinated that they should wear masks and social distance," said Larsen. "We are still looking to follow the guidance and right now the guidance would be that if you aren't vaccinated you should socially distance and wear a mask, but it will be on the honor system."
As for Blues Fest, things will mostly go back to normal, according to Larsen. The only difference will be the tickets.
"The difference now will be we'll just have to scan your ticket when you come in, there won't be any other checking," Larsen explained. "It will be very much like it was in the past with the only difference being that you can't walk up and buy your ticket that day, you have to use the Simpletix platform."
While much of these events will run on the honor system when it comes to COVID, Larsen stated that the health and safety of their visitors is still something he is being mindful of.
"We're still going to do the advanced cleaning and the signage and the hand washing station and all of that to keep people safe," said Larsen.
Overall, Larsen said he is glad for the changes and breathing a sigh of relief.
"We are certainly very relieved," he said. "It certainly opens it up to people who maybe wouldn't have been vaccinated yet or didn't want to get vaccinated."
For more information on the NBT Bank Summer Concert Series or the Chenango Blues Festival, visit chenangobluesfest.org.
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