Ticketmaster Plans to Verify Your COVID-19 Vaccination Status for Concerts

A negative test result could get you a ticket when live music returns

BY Calum SlingerlandPublished Nov 11, 2020

Live Nation is still aiming to resume concerts at "full scale" in 2021, and as part of increased safety measures for fans, Ticketmaster is developing a system to verify attendees' COVID-19 testing and vaccination status ahead of events taking place.

As a new report from Billboard explains, Ticketmaster's plan — which is currently in development for American audiences — revolves around the company's smartphone app, third party health information companies such as CLEAR Health Pass or IBM's Digital Health Pass, and testing and vaccine distribution providers.

After purchasing a ticket for a concert, fans would need to verify that they have already been vaccinated, or that they have tested negative for coronavirus 24 to 72 hours prior to the event, though the exact length will ultimately be determined by local public health guidelines.

Upon the test's completion, ticketholders would then have the lab deliver results to their health information company, who would then verify the results with Ticketmaster.

If a fan tests positive, or doesn't take a test to verify their status, they will not be granted access to the event. Billboard notes that Ticketmaster would not store or have access to fans' medical records.

"We're already seeing many third-party health care providers prepare to handle the vetting — whether that is getting a vaccine, taking a test, or other methods of review and approval — which could then be linked via a digital ticket so everyone entering the event is verified," Ticketmaster president Mark Yovich told Billboard. "Ticketmaster's goal is to provide enough flexibility and options that venues and fans have multiple paths to return to events, and is working to create integrations to our API and leading digital ticketing technology as we will look to tap into the top solutions based on what's green-lit by officials and desired by clients."

UPDATE (11/12, 2 p.m. ET): Ticketmaster has now issued a statement clarifying its plans, stating: "It was widely misreported yesterday that Ticketmaster will be requiring vaccine status/test results for future events. This is not true. Ticketmaster does not have the power to set policies around safety/entry requirements, which would include vaccines and/or testing protocols. That is up to the discretion of the event organizer. We are indeed exploring these options, but it is still only a potential concept. And Ticketmaster will not be able to require such parameters — it would always be up to the event organizer."

News of Ticketmaster's vaccine verification plan comes after the unveiling of their SmartEvent protocols, which include contactless box offices, payment and entry, mobile ordering, contact tracing, timed entries, entry rate monitoring and ticket transferring.

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