By Craig Horleman

DOVER — AEG Presents, the producers of September’s Firefly Music Festival, announced this week that all festival attendees will have to show proof of vaccination for COVID-19 or a negative test to be admitted.

According to a statement by AEG, the decision comes on the heels of a surge in COVID-19 cases, as the delta variant spreads throughout the United States.

Up to Oct. 1, AEG Presents will implement a policy of showing proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of any show date.

Firefly is set for Sept. 23-26 at the Woodlands of Dover.

AEG officials say the Oct. 1 date was chosen specifically “to allow time for any eligible unvaccinated ticketholders and staff to reach fully vaccinated status should they choose to do so.”

“We have come to the conclusion that, as a market leader, it was up to us to take a real stand on vaccination status,” said Jay Marciano, chief operating officer of AEG and chairman and CEO of AEG Presents, in a statement.

“Just a few weeks ago, we were optimistic about where our business, and country were heading. The Delta variant, combined with vaccine hesitancy, is pushing us in the wrong direction again. We realize that some people might look at this as a dramatic step, but it’s the right one. 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.”

After Oct. 1, AEG Presents will enact a mandatory vaccination policy for concertgoers and staff, limited only as required by law in individual states.

AEG Presents is either an owner or partner in such venues and festivals as New York’s Webster Hall and Brooklyn Steel, The Roxy and El Rey theaters in Los Angeles, The Theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas, Day N Vegas, the Coachella Music & Arts Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, which was forced to cancel its event this year due to the rise in coronavirus cases in that area.

“Certain states’ regulations may override our mandate, or a few artists may not want to immediately get on board with the plan, but we know that using our platform to take a strong position on vaccinations can make an impact. The message we want to send is simple and clear: the only way to be as safe as possible is to require everyone to be vaccinated. And we’re confident that others who haven’t been ready to make this full commitment yet will follow our lead,” Shawn Trell, COO and general counsel for AEG Presents, said in a statement.

AEG said the vaccination policy will be implemented as an open-ended one, with any changes or reversals informed by updates relating to infection rates, transmission data, variant developments and local and federal regulations.

“Our hope is that our pro-active stance encourages people to do the right thing and get vaccinated,” said Mr. Marciano. “We’ve already had to deliver bad news about the (New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival) this week; I think everyone can agree that we don’t want concerts to go away again, and this is the best way to keep that from happening.”

This year’s Firefly headliners include Billie Eilish, Lizzo, The Killers and Tame Impala.

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