Lollapalooza 2021: Chicago Music Festival Steps Up COVID Security Measures

CHICAGO (WLS) – Day four of Lollapalooza Sunday comes with new rules for Chicago’s biggest music festival.

Changes are occurring across Chicago as increasing cases of COVID-19 force health officials to crack down to slow the spread of the contagious Delta variant.

Despite a voluntary mask encouraging the wearing of masks in indoor public spaces, Chicago averages more than 200 cases per day with a test positivity rate of 3.1%. According to the CDC, Lake and Kane counties are also experiencing significant levels of transmission, which are considered to be greater than 100 cases per 100,000 population over a 7-day period. Boone County is now at the top of the list as nearly all counties in the region experience high or substantial transmission. Kankakee County is listed as moderate.

“It is a virus that must be respected, and it is something that we must take precautions against, so the message is always simple. If you are not vaccinated, please get vaccinated. It is always the best way to protect you, and we need to apply other protections as we fight the Delta virus in our area, so that’s where the inner masking comes in, ”said Infectious Disease Specialist Dr Michael Lin at Rush University Medical Center.

On Sunday morning, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Dr Allison Arwady, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, provided an update on the city’s response to the rising number of COVID-19.

“We have no current goals or plans to shut Chicago down again, but we need people, please, again to step up. We’ve been through this pandemic. Well, so far, mostly when you compare what happened right from the start to after we were able to put a lot of these mitigation measures in place, ”said Dr Arwady.

Spectators at Lollapalooza concerts will need to show proof of vaccination or a negative test in order to enter. The music festival ends Sunday evening.

Since Saturday, Lollapalooza spectators are required to wear masks in all indoor spaces, regardless of their vaccination status.

The new policy follows the city’s latest guidelines, as Chicago officials are now urging everyone to wear a mask indoors.

The new mask advisory comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that the delta variant can be spread by people who are fully vaccinated and have a breakthrough infection.

“I wear a mask just to be safe,” said Karen Maze, a Lolla participant.

But opinions are divided.

WATCH | Mask recommendations put businesses at a standstill, some say

“We hope it goes that far. We certainly don’t want to see a term,” said Sam Sanchez, president of the Illinois Restaurant Association.

At Lolla, you must wear a mask in interior spaces like the merchandise store, hospitality lounges, wristband assistance tents, and ticket booth.

Watch Lollapalooza live on Hulu

Spectators are already required to show proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID test.

COVID tests presented by unvaccinated participants cannot be longer than 72 hours, so anyone with a four-day pass who is not vaccinated must get tested twice.

Lollapalooza 2021 publishes full lineup per day

“It’s pretty easy for everyone to get tested. They offered it in the street; it’s pretty easy for everyone to get vaccinated if they feel comfortable, so I feel like it was appropriate; it doesn’t prevent anyone from entering unless they have COVID, which I think is right, ”said participant Reagan Tallmadge.

Unvaccinated guests must also wear a mask, and pop-up testing sites can be found all around the perimeter of the festival.

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The city hoped it would be a safe celebration, but the number of cases in Chicago is rising.

Lolla organizers tweeted Thursday that more than 90% of people presented proof of vaccination, 8% brought negative COVID tests and 600 people did not bring documents and were not allowed entry.

The music festival, which brings together around 100,000 people in Grant Park every day, ends Sunday evening.

Street closures

-Balbo Drive from Columbus Drive to DuSable Lake Shore Drive will be closed until Friday August 6; Balbo’s closure continues to Michigan Avenue on Monday, July 26 at 8 p.m. and remains closed until Monday, August 2.

-Jackson Drive from Columbus to DuSable Lake Shore Drive is closed until Friday August 6; Jackson’s closure was extended to Michigan Avenue on Monday, July 26 at 8 p.m. and remains closed until Monday, August 2.

-Columbus from Monroe Street to Roosevelt Road will be closed from Monday July 26 at 8 p.m. until Monday August 2; Columbus’ closure is extended to Randolph Street on Monday July 26 at 8 p.m. and continues through Monday August 2. Additional northbound center lanes on Columbus from 13th Street to Roosevelt Road will be closed on Monday, July 26 at 8 p.m. and the closure continues through August 2.

SEE ALSO: Lollapalooza scam: fraudsters target festival-goers with fake tickets, vaccination cards

-Ida B. Wells / Circle is closed from Michigan to Columbus on Monday, July 26 at 8 p.m. and remains closed until Monday, August 2.

-Monroe Street from Michigan to DuSable Lake Shore Drive is closed Wednesday, July 28 at 8 p.m. and remains closed until 6:30 a.m. on Monday, August 2.