JANUARY 2023 UPDATE: The Covid-19 pandemic is not over. To protect everyone in our community–especially the oldest and most vulnerable among us–wearing a mask in crowded indoor settings is a sensible precaution to take. While we no longer require masks, we do encourage them. Of course, we also encourage everyone to stay up-to-date on Covid-19 vaccinations and to stay home if you’re not feeling well. Thank you!

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APRIL 2, 2022 UPDATE: Based on the most recent data from Riverside County Public Health showing a significant decline in cases and hospitalizations since our last concert one month ago, we will no longer require audience members to show proof of vaccination. Masks are encouraged. Thank you.

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 Covid-19: Our response to the pandemic

In March 2020, halfway through our sixth season of concerts, we put live in-person concerts on hold. For our 2021 season we produced a series of five online concerts (pre-recorded, multi-camera videos shot at locations throughout Desert Hot Springs.) But the whole time, we’ve been planning a return to live in-person concerts, of course!

Planning public events during a public health emergency is extraordinarily challenging. It takes months of work behind-the-scenes to plan a season of concerts even in “normal” times, and the uncertainty and volatility during the pandemic has been exceptionally challenging for those of us in the performing arts community.

Plans for our 2022 season were made during the Delta and Omicron surges of the Coronavirus pandemic, and many decisions had to be made weighing 1) the health and well-being of the community and the artists; 2) an often rapidly-evolving situation with a new virus; 3) changing public health guidelines; and–first and foremost–4) the desire to successfully plan for events months in the future while having confidence that they will not need to be postponed or canceled. 

Our 2022 season begins with three outdoor concerts (and one indoor/outdoor concert) with no specific policies in place to mitigate the spread of Covid-19. And it concludes with three indoor concerts, where proof of vaccination and masks are required–risk mitigation measures that have become standard practice in the performing arts industry.

Local, state, and federal guidelines about risk mitigation in public spaces have recently changed, and every individual has their own comfort level with risk. For now, we will proceed as planned for the added safety and comfort of our audience, our artists, and the greater community–as are many other performing arts organizations and venues. Riverside County public health officials still recommend wearing masks in crowded indoor locations. And while there is still much we don’t know about the virus and future variants that may arise, we do know that masks and vaccination (especially when used together) offer some protection against infection and–more importantly–against severe illness and hospitalization.

Things can change quickly. Stay tuned for any possible changes to our policy before our final concerts of the season.

Thank you,

Desert Hot Springs Classical Concerts