Salzburg Festival Announces Mandatory Facemasks After Audience Member Tests Positive for COVID-19

By Francisco Salazar

The Salzburg Festival and the City of Salzburg’s Public Health Authority have confirmed that on July 18, 2021, an audience member tested positive for coronavirus who attended the premiere of “Jedermann” on July 17.

The festival and health department were informed that the infected person had been fully vaccinated.

The surrounding circumstances were all checked, and thanks to the personalization of tickets mandated by the Salzburg Festival’s prevention plan, authorities were informed to contact 44 people.

According to the festival, the prevention plan it had announced on July 15 was fully implemented.

In a statement, Executive Director Lukas Crepaz said, “After this unfortunate event, we have decided together with the health authorities and our expert council that we will now implement the next safety level described in the prevention plan: starting tomorrow, the wearing of FFP2 facemasks is mandatory for all visitors at all performance venues.”

The festival has announced that it will adapt its prevention plan to the development of the pandemic. The news comes as many festivals and companies have canceled performances and adapted due to several positive cases. Last week the Verbier Festival was forced to send its orchestra home after members tested positive and Opera Australia was forced to cancel its Winter season.

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