Anime Expo removes COVID-19 testing and vaccine card requirements for attendance
On Wednesday, Anime Expo announced that it was changing the requirements for attendance to the convention, dropping the mandate to have a COVID-19 vaccine card and negative test to enter the convention. Instead, attendees will only have to wear masks.
“We have updated our COVID-19 Health & Safety Protocols. While face coverings will still be required inside the LACC, we will no longer be requiring proof of vaccination or negative test for entry,” Anime Expo tweeted.
According to the webpage Anime Expo linked to for more information, this decision came as a result of working with “federal, state, and local and local health officials to ensure a safe environment for Anime Expo 2022. All guidelines and measures being put into place are driven by data provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).”
The convention’s mask rules are as follows:
“All attendees of AX 2022 will be required to wear face coverings, regardless of vaccination status, at all times unless in outdoor areas or actively drinking or eating. Face coverings must fit snugly and properly, fully covering your nose and mouth, and secure under your chin. Please note that these requirements and guidelines apply to all attendee groups, including but not limited to, exhibitors, artists, vendors, guests, staff, press, industry, volunteers, and cosplayers.”
The event organizers, SPJA, also noted that these guidelines and requirements may change in the future and that they reserve the right to change them if/when they see fit. The varying nature of COVID-19 guidelines has been an issues across the globe. Many fans and potential attendees have taken issue with the change, highlighting the fact that it seems to ignore their safety and health.
“Another convention disregards all sense of safety and care for attendees,” one user tweeted. “And, of course, #AnimeExpo announces it a month before the event when everyone is already committed.
Absolutely scummy behavior.”
This news comes in the wake of other conventions continuing, despite COVID-19 related fatalities resulting from exposure at them. PAX West, for example, reportedly will not be making any changes to its COVID-19 protocols, despite the fact than an Enforcer died from COVID-19 after being exposed to it at the 2022 PAX East convention.
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