PSO COVID-19 Safety Protocols

Keeping you safe at concerts

Last Updated: October 20, 2021 at 4:00 PM

Your Portland Symphony Orchestra’s first priority is the health and safety of our patrons, musicians, staff, and the greater community.

Due to the rise of the highly contagious and virulent Delta variant across the state and nation, we are announcing new safety protocols for PSO concerts. These measures will ensure we can bring music to you safely this season and beyond.

Unless otherwise directed by city, state, or federal health officials, these policies will be in effect until at least November 9, 2021, when we will reassess our safety protocols. Any changes to the current measures will be announced on or around that time.

Effective immediately, all PSO audience members, staff, and volunteers attending concerts will be required to:

Provide proof that they are fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by the World Health Organization or the Food and Drug Administration OR provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to entry. The last dose of the vaccine must have been administered at least 14 days prior to the concert.  For important information about vaccine requirements, including valid forms of verification and ID, scroll down to our safety protocols FAQ on this page.

In lieu of proof of vaccination, provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test conducted within 48 hours of the performance start time or a negative COVID-19 rapid (antigen) test within 12 hours of the performance start time. This includes children under 12 who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated. Please note, at-home COVID-19 tests are not accepted. For important information about negative COVID-19 test requirements scroll down to our safety protocols FAQ on this page.

Wear a mask at all times while in Merrill Auditorium, unless they are actively eating and drinking or are otherwise exempt from wearing a mask due to a disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.). For important information about masking, including prohibited types of masks, scroll down to our safety protocols FAQ on this page.

Please note, for concerts through November 9, 2021: there will be no intermission and no concessions served. No outside food or drink is allowed in Merrill Auditorium.

Finally, we ask patrons to stay home if they are feeling unwell and contact PortTIX at 207.842.0800 for a complimentary exchange into another PSO concert in the 2021-22 season.

For information on how to receive the COVID-19 vaccination, visit https://www.maine.gov/covid19/vaccines/vaccination-sites or call 1-888-445-4111.

For more information on the COVID-19 pandemic in Maine, please visit the Maine CDC site here, call 211, or email info@211maine.org.

For any audience members or subscribers unable to comply with these safety protocols, we are offering free exchanges into other PSO concerts in the 2021-22 season. Please call PortTIX at 207.842.0800 to discuss your ticketing options.

Thank you for ensuring your PSO can play on!

FAQ

HOW LONG WILL THESE POLICIES BE IN PLACE?

These policies will be in effect for the following concerts:

Tuesday Classical: Onward: A PSO Homecoming on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 7:30 PM
POPS! Celtic Spirit on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 7:30 PM
POPS! Celtic Spirit on Sunday, October 24, 2021 at 2:30 PM
POPS! Piano Men on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 7:30 PM
POPS! Piano Men on Sunday, November 7, 2021 at 2:30 PM

WHAT ARE PSO’S MASKING POLICIES?

MASKING WILL BE REQUIRED for all audience members, staff, and volunteers.

Guests must wear a mask at all times while at Merrill Auditorium, unless they are actively eating and drinking or are otherwise exempt from wearing a mask due to a disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.).

Audience members must wear a mask over their nose and mouth and under their chin.

The following masks are prohibited:

Masks with exhalation valves
Masks made of loosely woven fabrics
Scarves, buffs, bandanas, gaiters
Face shields alone without a mask

Masks will be made available upon request.

WHAT MASKS ARE PROHIBITED?

The following masks are prohibited:

Masks with exhalation valves
Masks made of loosely woven fabrics
Scarves, buffs, bandanas, gaiters
Face shields alone without a mask

Masks will be made available upon request.

Audience members must wear a mask over their nose and mouth and under their chin.

WHAT ARE PSO’S PROOF OF VACCINATION POLICIES?

PROOF OF VACCINATION OR PROOF OF NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST will be required for all audience members, staff, and volunteers:

The vaccine must be an FDA or WHO approved vaccination.

The final dose of the vaccine must have been administered at least 14 days prior to entry.

All vaccination and negative COVID-19 test verifications will happen IN-PERSON at the concert.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO VERIFY MY VACCINATION STATUS?

All audience members must provide proof of vaccination (or negative COVID-19 test) as well as photo ID (photo ID is not required for children under 12).

Types of vaccination verification allowed:

Physical vaccination card
Digital vaccination record
Photo or scan of physical vaccination card

Acceptable forms of Photo ID (all must be the physical card – photocopies are NOT accepted. Children under 12 are EXEMPT from showing photo ID):

Driver’s licenses, or state ID cards for non-drivers, issued by a state’s Department of Motor Vehicles
Formal ID cards WITH photo (armed forces, police, student union)
Student ID card with photo
Company ID card with photo
Passport or Passport card
Permanent Resident Card
Tribal ID card

WHAT ARE PSO’S PROOF OF NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST POLICIES?

People unable to get the vaccine (such as, but not limited to, children under 12, people with a medical condition, or closely held religious belief, etc.) may provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test for entry. Please note, at-home COVID-19 tests are not accepted.

Acceptable proof of negative COVID-19 test include physical or digital copies of a:

Negative COVID-19 PCR test from within 48 hours of the performance start time.
Negative COVID-19 rapid (antigen) test taken within 12 hours of the performance start time.

I BOUGHT A SUBSCRIPTION OR TICKET AND AM UNABLE TO COMPLY WITH THESE NEW SAFETY PROTOCOLS. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

For any audience members or subscribers unable to comply with these safety protocols, we are offering free exchanges into other PSO concerts in the 2021-22 season. Please call PortTIX at 207.842.0800 to discuss your ticketing options.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I FEEL UNWELL THE DAY OF THE CONCERT?

We ask patrons to stay home if they are feeling unwell.

Please contact PortTIX at 207.842.0800 for a complimentary exchange into another PSO concert in the 2021-22 season.

WILL THERE BE AN INTERMISSION?

Please note, for concerts through November 9, 2021: there will be no intermission and no concessions served. No outside food or drink is allowed in Merrill Auditorium.

WILL CONCESSIONS BE SERVED?

Please note, for concerts through November 9, 2021: there will be no intermission and no concessions served. No outside food or drink is allowed in Merrill Auditorium.

AM I ABLE TO BRING IN OUTSIDE FOOD OR BEVERAGE?

Per the City of Portland, no outside food or beverages (including water) are allowed in Merrill Auditorium

SHOULD I ALLOW FOR EXTRA TIME FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY SCREENINGS?

All vaccination/negative COVID-19 test verifications will happen in person (no pre-check allowed) directly outside of Merrill Auditorium.

The City of Portland will also be doing bag checks and having patrons walk through metal detectors directly inside Merrill Auditorium. Please leave large bags at home.

Please allow extra time to get through the safety and security screenings. We appreciate your patience.