Salem Indoor Event Coronavirus Test Order: What You Need To Know

SALEM, MA —Salem officials on Monday released some clarifications on the city's new coronavirus test order to attend large indoor events at venues available to the public during October.

The new protocol, which goes into effect on Oct. 1 and runs through Oct. 31, applies to Halloween-themed balls, parties and wedding receptions with 100 or more attendees at any venue open to the public such as hotels, function halls and ballrooms. All those attending those events as a guest or ticket holder must supply proof of a negative coronavirus test within 72 hours of entering the event regardless of vaccination status.

The Salem Board of Health unanimously approved the new mandate during a two-hour special meeting Friday night.

(Read: Salem To Require Coronavirus Tests For 100+ Indoor October Events)

"I believe our Board of Health members have done an outstanding job throughout this pandemic and have based their decisions on what is in the best interest of the public health of our community," Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll said on Monday. "We're all doing as much as we can to protect the health and safety of our residents and our workforce. I'm grateful for the volunteer service of our neighbors and experts on the Board for the time and commitment they are putting into this incredibly important work."

While most aspects of the mandate were discussed during the Board of Health meeting, which included an endorsement from Driscoll and objection during public comment from several event organizers arguing that the testing mandate is an undue burden, one clarification on Monday is that event staff is exempt from the testing requirement. Testing and vaccination of staff is encouraged, but they will not need a new negative test for each event worked throughout the month.

Indoor event attendees will still all be required to wear a mask when not actively eating and drinking even with the new test mandate.

The city is encouraging event organizers to contact all expected guests to make sure they know about the test requirement so that those coming from out of town can arrange for a test within 72 hours of the event.

Event staff will be responsible for verifying the negative-test status of all guests. The city did say what type of verification enforcement measures it will take or what punishments would be for venues, organizers or attendees for any violations.

The city said it will set up free, rapid testing sites in downtown Salem prior to every qualifying event and encourages the use of the "Stop the Spread" testing sites at Salem High School and St. Peter's Church.

Attendees will need to show a negative PCR or rapid antigen test administered by a testing service or health care provider. Antibody tests or self-administered, over-the-counter tests are not acceptable for entrance.

Anyone fully recovered from COVID-19, but who cannot receive a negative test because of a recent infection, must obtain a"medical documentation of recovery" — which means documentation of a positive test and a letter from a health care provider or public health official stating the attendee has been cleared for travel.

While the test order applies to indoor events with 100 or more attendees, it is "encouraged" for any indoor event in the city during October.

"In addition, attractions, events, and businesses have a right to require proof of vaccination from customers, if they wish," the city said.

Salem has no citywide proof-of-vaccination requirement at this time.

"Covid testing for large indoor events will help ensure that we can all safely enjoy the unique events that take place in our city during the month of October," Salem Board of Health Chair Dr. Jeremy Schiller said. "Thank you Salemites and all who are visiting from out of town for all that you are doing to protect yourselves and our community during this pandemic."

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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