Coachella says it will no longer require COVID-19 vaccinations in abrupt U-turn

• Coachella said on Instagram it will accept a negative COVID-19 test in lieu of proof of vaccination.
• This is a U-turn on its previous policy, which said that proof of vaccination had to be shown.

Coachella has reversed its plan to require festival attendees and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The festival's official Instagram account shared a story on Tuesday that said people could either show full proof of vaccination or "negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the event" to attend its 2022 events.

The story, viewed by Insider, said the decision was made "after seeing first-hand the low transmission data and successful implementation of safety protocols at our other festivals this past month."

AEG Presents, the company behind the festival, had said in August that proof of vaccination would be needed for entry to all of its events.

Jay Marciano, the CEO of AEG Presents, said at the time: "We have come to the conclusion that, as a market leader, it was up to us to take a real stand on vaccination status."

"We also are aware that there might be some initial pushback, but I'm confident and hopeful that, at the end of the day, we will be on the right side of history and doing what's best for artists, fans, and live event workers," he said.

Coachella events are set to take place in April 2022.