Coachella, Stagecoach now won’t require proof of vaccinations

Two major California music festivals will no longer require proof of vaccination for attendees

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the Stagecoach Country Music Festival announced the change this week, reversing a previous policy that required both staff and attendees to be vaccinated.

“After seeing first-hand the low transmission data and successful implementation of safety protocols at our festivals recently, alongside the rising vaccination rate of eligible Americans, we feel confident that we can safely update our policy for Stagecoach that allows for negative covid test taken within 72 hours of the event OR proof of full vaccination,” said a statement on the festival’s website.

While Stagecoach said face coverings are recommended during the event, it mentioned that they are used to “protect against desert dust.”

Earlier this month, Goldenvoice, the parent company responsible for both festivals, updated its health policy to include a vaccine mandate for staff and attendees of its venues.

“We will be requiring all attendees and staff to provide proof of full vaccination for entry into our owned & operated venues unless medically or religiously exempt. ‘Full vaccination’ means 14 days or more following the final dose of a US FDA approved or WHO recognized vaccine against COVID-19,” the policy stated.

The policy also advised patrons to visit the websites of the particular events they plan to attend as “each Goldenvoice festival may have its own health policy.”

Coachella is scheduled to be held April 15-17 and April 22-24 next year. Stagecoach is scheduled for April 29-May 1.

Both festivals were canceled for 2020 and 2021 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.