Article author:
Associated Press
New Orleans (AP) — With a major policy reversal, the 2022 Essence Cultural Festival shows negative COVID test results on Friday for attendees to enter the Superdome and other ticket concerts. An event announced to allow that.
Previously, Essence said that proof of COVID vaccination was mandatory for hospitalization. Those who choose to show a negative test must use the results from the laboratory rather than the home COVID test, The Times-Picayune / The NewOrleans Advocate reported.
Policy changes announced on social media earlier on Friday have already canceled flights or hotel rooms or sold tickets due to vaccination needs. It's too late for fans.
The message about the festival admission policy was confusing from the beginning. The auto-generated information that accompanies comedian Kevin Hart's Thursday show's electronic ticketmaster receipt stated that either evidence of vaccination or negative COVID test results are suitable for hospitalization. But it wasn't.
During the days leading up to the festival, the festival's message in the "Frequently Asked Questions" section of Essence officials and their website claimed that only proof of vaccination was accepted.
That policy was changed with Friday's announcement, just 12 hours before the three-night Superdome concert began with a show headlined by rapper Nicki Minaj.
