Staples Center, Microsoft Theater: Fans Must Wear Masks, Be Fully Vaccinated Or Test Negative For First Live Concerts In More Than 500 Days
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Masks and vaccinations or a negative COVID-19 test will be required when the Staples Center and Microsoft Theater welcome music fans back this weekend.
The Staples Center recently hosted playoff basketball and the Microsoft Theater hosted The BET Awards, but this weekend will kickoff concerts with two popular Mexican groups headlining at the venues.
Grupo Firme will be the first music group to play a concert at Staples Center in exactly 513 days – or 1 year, 4 months, and 21 days. Friday's concert will be the first at Staples Center since March 4, 2020. The Banda Group's seven shows are already sold out and will hold the record for most shows in a single calendar year performed at Staples Center by a Latin artist.
Meanwhile, Marca MP will take the stage at Microsoft Theater, which hasn't seen a music act in 511 days.
"We're really excited. Honestly, a little nervous knowing that it's going to be a full house," Pedro Vargas of Marca MP said.
But with the more contagious Delta variant running rampant, cases, hospitalizations and deaths are up throughout California. So music fans who attend either concert will be required to prove they are fully vaccinated or self-attest to a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours before the event.
"You don't have to show us. You just have to self-attest that you have done that," Lee Zeidman, President of Staples Center, Microsoft Theater and LA Live, said.
Fans will also be required to wear masks because both concerts are expected to be crowded, indoor events.
All tickets will be digital, both venues will be cashless and mobile ordering stations for food and drink are among some of the changes the venues have made to improve safety and decrease contact.
Additionally, large bags – not even clear ones – will not be allowed, and both venues have upgraded their air filters and enacted more stringent disinfection procedures. But most importantly fans should know that both cash and large bags will not be allowed into either venue.
"I don't believe we should be worried. We have done a phenomenal job ensuring the safety of our fans. Look at how we took care of our fans during playoff basketball, ensuring that our GBAC accreditation and how much we're cleaning and sanitizing our venue," Kishore Ramlagan, Manager of Market and Promotions, said.
Barring any major developments, Microsoft Theater and Staples Center have a busy fall schedule that includes Luke Bryan, Dan + Shay, Enrique Iglesias with Ricky Martin, and The Go-Go's, while next year's lineup includes Bad Bunny, Justin Bieber, The Weekend, and Celine Dion.
Full "Know Before You Go" guidelines are available on the Staples Center and Microsoft Theater websites.