After over a year of silence due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, live music has returned to Athens and music venues all over the city are working hard to ensure it’s here to stay.
On Sept. 8, 2021 the Athens-Clarke County Commission (ACC) voted to uphold the mask mandate that was reinstated on Aug. 3, however, many Athens music venues are taking precautions one step further by requiring proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test for all staff and concertgoers.
Why it’s newsworthy: Many Athens locals are unaware of the varying COVID-19 related requirements needed to attend live concerts and show up unprepared.
(Timeline/Ally Gray)
There has been a dramatic surge in Covid-19 cases as the Delta variant spreads throughout the United States. With 1,989 positive Covid-19 cases confirmed by the Georgia Department of Public Health in ACC from Aug. 1 to Sept. 1, 2021, certain Athens music venues have banded together to take strict precautions to ensure the safety of their staff, artists, and guests as well as protect themselves from having to close for an extended period.
The managers of the Georgia Theatre, 40 Watt Club, Flicker Theatre & Bar, Hendershots, and Nowhere Bar met earlier in August to discuss the safest way to move forward. They agreed to follow the ACC indoor mask mandate and are requiring guests to show full proof of full vaccination or a negative test taken within the past 48 hours before entering their venues effective Monday, Aug. 16.
40 Watt Club posted this message on its website: “We know there will be people who question this decision and perhaps disagree. This past year and a half were very hard for venues, artists, and fans among others and the last thing any of us want is a repeat of no live music or entertainment.”
AEG Presents, parent company of the Georgia Theatre, announced that starting Oct. 1, 2021 all guests and staff will be required to present a completed vaccination card upon entry nationwide, and the 40 Watt Club is following suit. The date was chosen specifically to allow time for any eligible unvaccinated ticket holders and staff to reach fully vaccinated status should they choose to do so.
“Our hope is that our proactive stance encourages people to do the right thing and get vaccinated,” said Jay Marciano, CEO of AEG Presents, in a post on the company’s website.
“The vaccination policy will be implemented as an open-ended one, with any changes or reversals informed by updates relating to variant developments, infection rates, transmission data, and local and federal regulations,” the post read.
As of Sept. 15, only 43% of ACC residents are fully vaccinated. Over 22 locations in Athens are currently offering vaccines.
One afternoon while setting up for that evening’s upcoming show, Colm O’Reilly, the production manager at the Georgia Theatre said, “For rock’s sake, get vaccinated!” if Athens patrons want to help music venues keep their doors open and continue to see live music this fall.
Ally Gray is a fifth year majoring in journalism with a minor in design and media and a certificate in new media.