Update on Covid Protocols

Greetings – Things are changing fast again in the world of Covid safety. NY’s indoor mask mandate has ended and individual businesses are once again allowed to make their own choice about mask rules. The MVP Center in Albany, a large arena, has dropped it’s Covid safety restrictions. Our attendance is picking up again. We are getting lots of questions about our current safety guidelines. Our advice: wherever you go to see a show, check the protocols before you arrive so you don’t get surprised at the door.

Before I share our current policy, please understand that the music industry is unique. First, the audience gathers in close quarters for two or more hours. Second, artists are living on the road, traveling from venue to venue across the country and the world. In some places, venues behave as if they never heard of Covid. In other places, like ours, they have extensive air purification and masked, vaccinated staffs. If an artist gets sick on the road, it’s a disaster. The tour ends and they may or may not be able to reschedule the dates. All income stops. Their careers have been on hold for two years, They cannot afford to get sick.

Here’s where Caffe Lena is at:
– We are still requiring vaccinations.* We do not require boosters.
– Please have a mask on when you arrive. You are welcome to remove it while you are seated.
– Our staff and volunteers are still wearing masks.
– We can often, but not always, provide you with a private table if you are concerned about sharing with unmasked people. Please arrange this advance by leaving a note for us in your ticket purchase, or by calling (518) 583-0022, or emailing sales@caffelena.org.
* We don’t require vaccinations for children’s shows or School of Music youth classes.

The Caffe Lena community–staff, volunteers, patrons and artists–has done a phenomenal job getting through two years of Covid safely while still presenting a full schedule of performances. It’s not over yet, but thanks to you, we’re making progress. Please let me know if you have other questions not addressed here.

See you at the show,
Sarah