Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra announces mandatory vaccine and masking policy for patrons 2021/2022 season

The Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra has a grip on reality when it comes to the pandemic, and they’re acting on it

The Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra (GJSO) appears to be the first local organization to grasp the gravity of the coronavirus infection spike currently gripping Mesa County and act on it by adopting policies aimed at minimizing the danger of transmitting the virus at its events.

The GJSO emailed its supporters today to let them know that due to the high number of Covid-19 cases locally, the low vaccination rate here and the very heavy burden being placed on local hospitals, starting December 10 all patrons will be required to wear masks and provide proof they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 prior to attending all GJSO events at all indoor venues, including the Avalon Theater, Love Recital Hall at Colorado Mesa University and others.

The GJSO wrote:

Dear GJSO Patrons and Guests,

As of November 23rd, 2021, only 48% of eligible Mesa County Residents have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Hospital beds are at 94% capacity and local hospitals are diverting incoming patients and have activated surge plans. 85% of hospital admissions are the unvaccinated. In the past 2 weeks, there were 17 COVID deaths and 80% of those were unvaccinated. (Mesa County Health Department)

The Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra’s top priority is to keep its patrons, guests, employees, and volunteers safe at all concerts and events as we come together to share our love of live music. These new policies below are currently being used by the majority of performing arts organizations nationwide.

Because of the continued rise in COVID cases in Mesa County, the GJSO has updated in its COVID Policy to the following effective December 10th, 2021. Attendees should expect to adhere to the following guidelines until further notice when attending GJSO concerts and events for the remainder of the 21/22 season:

The policy makes it clear that “fully vaccinated” means “the performance date must be at least 14 days after the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine, or at least 14 days after a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine.”

The GJSO is requiring absolutely authentic documentation of fully vaccinated status accompanied by a valid Government-issued ID.

GJSO says these policies are currently in use by the majority of performing arts organizations nationwide.

We can only hope that the GJSO stepping up with this policy will encourage other organizations, institutions and venues to also take steps to keep people safe amid the pandemic and help protect our hospitals, instead of acting like we live in a fantasy world where the pandemic is over.

Read the GJSO’s full policy here.

Today’s local hospital bed utilization chart from the Mesa County Health Department shows hospitals are slammed with beds 100% full, largely because of unvaccinated Covid patients

  14 comments for “Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra announces mandatory vaccine and masking policy for patrons 2021/2022 season

  1. Outstanding article in the Sentinel today on “Vaccination policy bringing more ticket sales than refunds.” Finally, somewhere the vaccinated and educated people in this county can go and not have their health be put at risk (only 28% of those in Mesa County over 25 have a college degree). More businesses should realize that there is a large market out there for us.

    • Funny how Liberal’s confuse intelligence and having a college degree. Even though you have graduated you can still be an idiot.

      • Psst – Terry;

        The plural of Liberal is “Liberals”. There’s no apostrophe*.

        You might want to look things up before you start talking about intelligence.

        * In case you’re wondering, this – ‘ – is an apostrophe.

          • What “point”? Your pointing out your problem with fancy-pants book-learnin’, while proving you’re in need of some?

            Low vaccination rates coincide with low levels of education. Ever wonder why?
            What does “common sense” tell you?

      • Hi Anne; When I try to comment, in a reply, something pops up and says this is a duplicate comment. It happened before as well. Don’t know if my reply or comments have gone through. That’s ok too. Thank you for your reporting, valuable info!

      • I was recently scolded for calling my neighbors cock roaches. Well ok, they are like cockroaches. ! I was corrected that they are people! Then I thought of the experimental new vaccine and people calling them lab rats. Good example.

    • I respect your decision. New interests and other avenues will have to suffice. Stay well, and please wear a mask and social distance no matter what.

  2. Good for GJSO! I wish our county health department, our city and state governments had the fortitude to stand up to the anti-maskervaxxers.

    • I was recently scolded for calling my neighbors cock roaches. Well ok, they are like cockroaches. ! I was corrected that they are people! Then I thought of the experimental new vaccine and people calling them lab rats. Good example.

Leave a Reply to Kiah B Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *