Coachella, Stagecoach Cancel Mask and Vax Card Requirements: But Why?

Since the announcement of the finally scheduled Coachella 2022, fans have been raving tickets to get access to the much-anticipated music festival in the country.

With the headline riddled with controversy as Travis Scott was pulled out, Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, and Ye are finally set to headline the two-weekend festival.

But with the current pandemic, fans and festivalgoers alike are asking what health protocols are in place for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and its sister festival, Stagecoach.

What are required and what are not?

The Coachella and Stagecoach festivals have announced that there would be no COVID-related hurdles to access, including negative testing, after announcing last year that vaccines would not be required for entry.

When millions of selfies are taken in the desert in April, there will also be no requirement to wear face masks.

Although there has not been a matching tweet from the Coachella account, the rules are identical for both Goldenvoice-sponsored festivals. Coachella's restrictions have also been shown to have eased in its "Health & Safety" guidelines page.

The ease of restrictions is particularly relevant for Stagecoach as the festival's audience are country listeners, which are historically and demographically conservative and right-wing.

A number of country music artists have publicly denounced the use of masks and anti-vaccine policies when they are performing for a large audience.

However, the California Department of Public Health released new guidelines saying Proof of Vaccinations will no longer be required for large outdoor events, in this effect, for Coachella and Stagecoach too.

Both festivals, since last fall, have announced that they would not require vaccine cards anymore.

Why are these not required?

In the current political atmosphere, it is commonly assumed that putting on a country music event with COVID rules that many demographic find harsh would be impossible.

As per Variety, Stagecoach would also not be able to relax any regulations without its sister event, the Coachella, following suit or failing to do so.

But, with Omicron cases spiraling down and even once pro-masking politicians and celebrities spotted socializing without masks at events like the Super Bowl, both festivals may have just lucked out in their time.

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival will take place over two weekends, April 15 - 17 and 22-24, while Stagecoach is on April 29 through May 1, headlined by Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, and Thomas Rhett.