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Kimmel Center retains current COVID-19 protocols despite city’s change

The decision applies to all of the Kimmel's venues, including Verizon Hall and the Academy of Music.

Usher Michael Messina works inside Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center before the Glorious Sound of Christmas concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra Dec. 16, 2021.
Usher Michael Messina works inside Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center before the Glorious Sound of Christmas concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra Dec. 16, 2021.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
    by Peter Dobrin
    Updated 
    Published 

Masks are staying on at the Kimmel Center for now. Philadelphia’s largest arts center is keeping in place its current protocols requiring face masks and proof of vaccination status along with identification, even as the city drops its mandate.

That decision is based on regular surveys monitoring audience attitudes about safety, as well as the fact that many patrons have already bought tickets with the current protocols in mind, said Kimmel spokesperson Leslie Patterson-Tyler.

The policy applies to all of the halls owned or operated by the Kimmel, including Verizon Hall, the Perelman Theater, Academy of Music and Merriam Theater, as well as to the audiences of the resident companies performing there, which include the Philadelphia Orchestra, Philly Pops, Philadelphia Ballet and Philadanco.

For now, the plan is to retain current protocols through March 31. The arts center’s leadership will revisit the question of safety policies in a few weeks, Patterson-Tyler said.