Ticketmaster has announced a new plan aimed at fan safety that uses smart phones to verify fans' vaccination status or whether they've tested negative for the coronavirus within a 24 to 72 hour window.
Many details of the plan still aren't clear since the plan is still being developed, but it seems to rely on three separate components: the Ticketmaster app, vaccine providers, and a health app. In order to enter a show, you would have to provide proof that you've been vaccinated, or show proof of negative covid test results within 24-72 hours depending on the rules in your state.
Ticketmaster says they would not have access to fans' health information; only confirmation that a fan is cleared to enter the venue. As of right now, the FDA hasn't approved an app for this use, nor has a vaccine been made available, though news came out this week that Pfizer has a vaccine that has shown to be over 90% effective, and could be available early next year if approved by the FDA.
You can read more about the planHERE.
Like you, I'm sure, I have a lot of questions. Namely, who pays for the tests? If I choose not to get the vaccine for whatever reason, and have to take a test, is that cost included in my ticket? Is there some kind of bulk discount? Can I be reimbursed? Some government-run testing facilities offer the test for free, but I'm assuming that once corona has been downgraded from "pandemic" status, those state-run free test sites will probably start to disappear, and patients will have to pay for the test on their own.