Coachella and Stagecoach ditch Covid-19 safety protocols
Indio, California – Those planning to attend Coachella or Stagecoach music festivals will not have to adhere to any Covid-19 health and safety requirements.
If you want a mask-free selfie or crowd shot at Coachella or Stagecoach Festival this year, there likely won't be a policy standing in your way.
On Tuesday, Stagecoach Festival announced its updated Covid-19 health and safety policies – or lack thereof.
According to a tweet sent out by the festival, there will be no testing, vaccination, or masking requirements in place "in accordance with local guidelines."
Coachella has since updated its health and safety protocols on its website with a nearly identical statement.
However, Coachella was sure to note its policies could change before the two-weekend festival in April.
"The event shall be presented in accordance with applicable public health conditions as of the date of the event and which may change at any time as determined by federal, state or local government agencies or instrumentalities, artists or the promoter," the website states.
Possible changes include proof of vaccination, Covid-19 testing, and mask requirements.
The newly announced health and safety updates came one day before Los Angeles County lifted its outdoor mask mandates, according to KTLA.
The California Department of Public Health also announced that starting Wednesday, proof of vaccination would no longer be required for large outdoor events, though it's still recommended.
In the fall, both Goldenvoice-promoted festivals announced there would be no vaccination requirement for entry, something many promoters like Live Nation and music venues have implemented over the last year.
Coachella and Stagecoach were both canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
While both are still slated to happen in April, the ongoing pandemic has shown that things can change at the drop of a hat.
Cover photo: Collage: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire/123RF/siraanamwong