Playwrights Horizons has announced that due to low infection rates in New York City, the Off-Broadway theatre company is dropping its COVID-19 booster requirement for audiences. The news was shared on Twitter.
The theatre continues to require full vaccination as well as the proper wearing of face masks at all times. The guidelines went into effect March 14 for the theatre's next show Wish You Were Here.
(1/2) An update on our health guidelines: Proof of full vaccination continues to be required, and proper face masks must be worn at all times. Based on low infection rates in NYC, we are not requiring proof of a booster shot.
— Playwrights Horizons (@phnyc) March 14, 2022
In its health guidelines, Playwrights Horizons states, "Determining a safety plan for our theatre has been difficult, especially as we acknowledge the vaccine hesitancy that understandably exists for some in Black communities due to historical failures in U.S. healthcare systems as well as ongoing personal experiences—one of the many results of structural racism." The statement later continues, "Ultimately, we will require vaccinations in accordance with both the current New York City mandates as well as the work and approaches of many Black epidemiologists, specialists, and experts."
Playwrights Horizons currently accepts a CDC-issued COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, a New York State Excelsior Pass Plus, and a New York City COVID Safe App showing documentation of two doses of Pfizer, Moderna, or Astra-Zeneca vaccines or one does of Johnson & Johnson. In accordance with CDC guidance, Playwrights Horizons strongly recommends N95 and KN95 masks.
To read Playwrights Horizons' full health guidelines, visit PlaywrightsHorizons.org.