Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, undoubtedly one of the most popular music festivals in the world, has essentially dropped all COVID-19 precautions.
According to a recent update to the event’s health and safety procedures, attendees will not be required to present proof of vaccination or a negative test for entry. Masks will not be required to be worn in any area of the festival either.
“In accordance with local guidelines, there will be no vaccination, testing or masking requirements at Coachella 2022,” reads the Health & Safety, Rules page on the Coachella website.
The page goes on to say that measures can change at any time depending on guidance handed down from the federal, state, or local level. Vaccination, testing, and/or face coverings could become required, and other factors including capacity can be affected as well.
There is also a warning that COVID-19 is “is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death,” and that attending large public events incurs a heightened risk of exposure.
These new relaxed strictures come as various countries around the world are shifting their approach to COVID-19. Some countries like Sweden, Norway, and Denmark are already lifting all restrictions related to the virus nationwide, essentially returning to normal life.
On the local level, just today California lifted the mask mandate in indoor settings for vaccinated people. Furthermore, Coachella is a largely outdoor event, and a study by MIT showed that less than one percent of cases are transmitted outdoors.
At the end of the day, the decision to attend a large music festival like Coachella lies with the attendees, and after nearly two years of the pandemic, most people are assured of the risk they are willing to take in regards to contracting the virus.
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival will take place April 15-17 and 22-24, 2022, at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. Tickets are sold out.
