BOISE, Idaho — The Boise Pride Festival will require everyone at this year's event to either be vaccinated against COVID-19 or test negative for the illness.
The requirement applies to everyone 12 and older, including attendees, vendors, staff, performers, and volunteers. Children under 12 are not yet eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, and are encouraged to wear a mask if attending the outdoor festival.
"The safety of our community is, and will always be, our #1 priority," festival organizers wrote.
Those who are not vaccinated must have a negative PCR test administered on or after Thursday, Sept. 9. mandated proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test
The festival is working with an app to serve as a place where people can upload negative test results and proof of vaccination status. The festival will have individual checkpoints to verify the apps, then guests will be given a wristband that is good for all three days of the event.
"When we saw cases come back up, we had to pivot to, alright we are not out of the woods yet, how are we going to handle this?" said Michael Dale, the president of Boise Pride.
Dale said the team met daily with public health partners on the state and city level for three weeks before coming to the decision.
Boise Pride activities will still be broadcasted online for those who don't choose to come.
Boise Pride Festival runs Sept. 10 through 12, 2021 and will feature music performances and a parade through downtown Boise. The event was made virtual last year due to coronavirus concerns.
The festival's requirement was announced after Treefort Music Festival, also scheduled for September, mandated proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for the event.
About 40% of Idaho's population is fully vaccinated, and hospitals around the state are dealing with a current surge of COVID-19 cases among the unvaccinated.
For more information on the Boise Pride Festival, click here.
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