You are here
Home > Arts > BREAKING NEWS: SPCO Cancels Week’s Concerts, Implements New COVID-19 Test Regimen

BREAKING NEWS: SPCO Cancels Week’s Concerts, Implements New COVID-19 Test Regimen

by Twin Cities Arts Reader -

The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra is one of several organizations to revisit internal procedures for COVID-19 testing in light of recent increases in breakthrough infections.

The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra has cancelled its January 5-7 concerts. With COVID-19 numbers spiking across the world, the ensemble announced today that it will implement a new testing protocol for musicians and staff involved with SPCO concerts and rehearsals. This policy will be implemented behind closed doors this week, before being rolled out in next week’s concerts.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt lives and programming throughout the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are currently high levels of COVID-19 transmission in every U.S. state.

The SPCO plans to contact all current ticket holders for this weekend’s concerts, pending a final decision on rescheduling this week’s performances, and the resulting ticket exchange, donation, or refund options. Schedule concerts will resume next weekend with a testing policy in place.

SPCO Audience Policies for COVID-19

In light of the highly transmissible Omicron and Delta variants and the increase of cases in Minnesota, all audience members must present proof of either full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours prior to attending an SPCO performance. 

Masks will also be required for all audience members, except while eating or drinking. This follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation that everyone should wear a mask indoors regardless of vaccination status. Attendance will be limited to 50% capacity to allow for distancing. To prevent crowds from gathering in restrooms, lobbies or concession lines, concerts will be 60-75 minutes long without intermission.

If ticket holders do not meet these requirements, or if ticket holders have COVID-19 symptoms, test positive for COVID-19 or are uncomfortable attending a performance, they can exchange their tickets for a later performance, bank tickets in their account for later use, turn back their tickets as a tax-deductible contribution to the SPCO or request a refund, with no fees or penalties.

For more resources and information on these safety protocols, and a list of acceptable proof of vaccination or COVID-19 test results, please visit thespco.org/safety.

Twin Cities Arts Reader
Latest posts by Twin Cities Arts Reader (see all)
Top