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September 29, 2021

Tough vaccination rules coming to Portland concert, sports venues

Courtesy / Lyle Lovett In Portland, city-owned Merrill Auditorium will require attendees to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test, starting Monday.
By Staff

Sports fans, music fans and others who attend events at some Portland venues will face tougher COVID-19 safety rules — including a new vaccination-or-test requirement — starting Monday.

The city of Portland this week announced changes to its health protocols for all municipal indoor facilities, including Merrill Auditorium, the James A. Banks Sr. Portland Exposition Building and the Ocean Gateway Terminal.

For all public events, attendees age 12 or over will now have to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19, or proof they have recently tested negative for the disease. They must also show a photo identification.

In addition, attendees over age 2 must comply with a previous city requirement: wearing face masks at all times, unless actively eating or drinking.

The new mandate is necessary because of the growth in COVID-19 infection across Maine associated with the delta variant of the coronavirus, the city said.

The Oct. 4 timing coincides with the start of a new vaccination policy for events sponsored by Live Nation, a national concert promotion company. It works regularly with 1,900-seat Merrill Auditorium, adjoining Portland City Hall, as well as with Waterfront Concerts, which books shows at Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion in Bangor and the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland.

For some fans, however, the changes may seem moot. A local concert booking organization, Portland Ovations, already requires vaccinations and masks at its indoor events, most of which are scheduled for the fall at Merrill. Elsewhere in Portland, the State Theatre, Thompson's Point, Portland House of Music and One Longfellow Square all require proof of vaccination.

Other Maine music venues requiring proof include the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor and Stone Mountain Arts Center in Brownfield.

In addition to concert venues, the new rule in Portland applies to the 24,000-square-foot Expo Building, home court of the Maine Celtics pro basketball team, a G League franchise of the Boston Celtics. A similar vaccination requirement goes into effect this Thursday at the parent team’s arena, TD Garden in Boston. 

Portland proof

For events at Portland municipal facilities, accepted proof of vaccination includes the original vaccination card, a printed copy of the vaccination card, or a digital photograph of the vaccination card.

Proof of vaccination through a third-party app will not be accepted. The final dose of the vaccine must have been administered at least 14 days before the event.

Accepted proof of a negative COVID-19 test includes a printed or digital copy of the result from a PCR test conducted within 72 hours of the event, or of a rapid test conducted within 12 hours of the event.

Tests must be from an authorized provider; at-home test results will not be accepted.

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