Ticketmaster won’t actually force you to be COVID-19 vaccinated when concerts resume

Once up a time, long, long ago there was a magical type of event. People would gather in large, sweaty crowds and listen to their favourite musical performers singing or playing their hearts out. The stadiums were packed, the screams were heard for miles, and everyone had the time of their lives. Yeah, we’re talking about concerts.

We know, we know, those weren’t actually fictional events. But it’s been so long since we’ve seen one that they’re starting to feel like nothing more than a distant memory! Well, all that could turn around soon, if (fingers crossed) a COVID-19 vaccine is finally developed. Which means concert venues and companies all over need to adapt to a new way to host these wonderful, crowded gatherings.

One way of adapting that was recently announced, was Ticketmaster forcing concert-goers to prove they had been vaccinated for COVID-19. The news spread like wildfire yesterday, but the truth is that this idea is one of many that Ticketmaster is exploring. And no, they can’t force you to do anything.

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According to this one possible idea, those hoping to attend a crowded venue will need to prove that they’ve been vaccinated for COVID-19. To do this, Ticketmaster would create a system that’ll link smartphones to health care providers. This verification system will check that everything is up-to-date and help ensure every concert, live performance, and crowded event is as safe as possible.

In actuality, that isn’t true. In a statement made to BBC News, Ticketmaster says that while it is exploring ideas like this, there will be “absolutely no requirement” for people to prove that they’ve been vaccinated. Or for mandated vaccines in general.

Ticketmaster’s statement to the BBC went on, saying that “Ticketmaster does not have the power to set policies around safety/entry requirements, which would include vaccines and/or testing protocols”. Well, that certainly makes sense.

After all, it will be up to venues and event organizers to determine who will be allowed to attend a concert. Do we hope that once a vaccine comes out that people will get it before going to crowded events? Sure! But, if that becomes a mandate, at least we know it’s not all on Ticketmaster.