The Seattle Opera has announced that it will require proof of vaccination for the upcoming 2021-22 season.

The company announced that it was “joining several Seattle performance organizations including Seattle Symphony in requiring masking and vaccinations or negative COVID-19 testing to ensure a safe and successful return of the Seattle area arts.⁠”

Rules will go into effect on Sept. 1 and the company will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination (or proof of a negative COVID-19 test for exempted persons) for audience members at all public events at McCaw Hall and the Opera Center. Additionally, masks will be required at all Seattle Opera events for Summer 2021 as well as the entire 2021/22 season regardless of vaccine status.

The company also noted that for indoor events, masks will be required for the duration of the event and for the outdoor Welcome Back Concert on August 28, 2021, masks will be required while moving around the space.

There will also be contact tracing and artists will be more than 20 feet of distance away from any audience members. The staff will also be required to be vaccinated.

The Seattle Opera is the latest company to require proof of vaccination following announcements from the Lyric Opera of Chicago, LA Opera, and Metropolitan Opera, among others.