Cape May Jazz Fest Will Require COVID Vax or Negative Test Result

If you want to see this October's Exit Zero Jazz Festival in Cape May, you will have to show proof of your COVID-19 vaccination or negative results of a test taken within three days of the festival.

Exit Zero's organizers say the policy will apply to all attending, including musicians, crew members, and guests.

Anyone under 12-years-old will be required to wear a mask at all times, and everyone is being encouraged to wear a mask regardless of their vaccination status.

The popular Cape May jazz event posted a message on their website this week saying they will be joining the growing list of concert venues nationwide to require such proof for admittance.

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Exit Zero, scheduled for October 1-3, at various indoor and outdoor locations around Cape May, has experience with holding live concerts during the pandemic.

The Exit Zero website points out that Exit Zero in October of 2020 and April of 2021 was the jazz festival in North America to go live.

Exit Zero Festival producer Michael Kline told The Press of Atlantic City that last week's cancellation of the New Orlean's Jazz and Heritage Festival prompted him to institute this policy.

"I didn't think we'd be planning for this. I honestly thought we were past this, but we're not. We're just trying to keep everyone safe and healthy as best we can....Our audience is also a little older, so we are taking every precaution.

Especially in clubs, You are bringing a lot of people into tight spaces. ... Insurance starts to rear its ugly head, too. You can't open yourself to negligence in any way."

Exit Zero Festival shows featuring acclaimed trumpeters Chris Botti and Terence Blanchard have been moved from indoors at Cape May Regional High School to an outdoor stage near the Cape May-Lewes terminal.