COVID-19 Information

Portland Symphony Orchestra COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS

PSO COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS: 

KEEPING YOU SAFE AT CONCERTS AT MERRILL AUDITORIUM 

Last Updated: September 12, 2022 at 4:40 PM.  

Your Portland Symphony Orchestra’s first priority continues to be the health and safety of our patrons, musicians, staff, and the greater community. We are constantly assessing our concert safety protocols to ensure we can bring music to you safely this season and beyond. 

Unless otherwise directed by city, state, or federal health officials, the following policies will be in effect until further notice for concerts at MERRILL AUDITORIUM. 

MASKING:
For adult patrons and children 2 and up, MASKING IS RECOMMENDED (but NOT REQUIRED) at all times while in Merrill Auditorium, unless actively eating or drinking and/or exempt from wearing a mask due to a disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.).  

Surgical masks will be made available upon request.  

At this time, we will NOT be requiring proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test to attend concerts at Merrill Auditorium. 

CONCESSIONS:
Currently, CONCESSIONS WILL BE SERVED at PSO concerts. Per the City of Portland, no outside food or drink is allowed in Merrill Auditorium. 

SECURITY CHECKS:
The City of Portland requires security screenings of all patrons entering Merrill Auditorium. City of Portland staff will do bag checks and have patrons walk through metal detectors directly inside Merrill Auditorium.  

Please leave large bags at home.  

Knives of any size are NOT allowed in Merrill Auditorium and WILL be confiscated.  

Please ARRIVE EARLY and allow extra time to get through the security screenings. We appreciate your patience. 

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE FEELING UNWELL:
We ask patrons to stay home if they are feeling unwell and contact PortTIX at 207.842.0800 for a complimentary exchange into another PSO concert in the 2022-23 season. They are open Monday through Friday, 11 AM – 3 PM (hours subject to change).  

ADDITIONAL SAFETY INFORMATION:
For any audience members or subscribers uncomfortable with the current PSO safety protocols, we are offering free exchanges into other PSO concerts in the 2022-23 season. Please call PortTIX at 207.842.0800 to discuss your ticketing options.   

For more information on the COVID-19 pandemic in Maine, please visit the Maine CDC site, call 211, or email info@211maine.org.   

THANK YOU FOR ENSURING YOUR PSO CAN PLAY ON! 

FAQ’S SECTION: 

HOW LONG WILL THESE POLICIES BE IN PLACE? 

Unless otherwise directed by city, state, or federal health officials, these policies will be in place until further notice.  

WHAT ARE PSO MASKING POLICIES? 

For adult patrons and children 2 and up, your PSO RECOMMENDS MASKING at all times while in Merrill Auditorium, unless actively eating or drinking and/or exempt from wearing a mask due to a disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.).  

 Surgical masks will be made available upon request. 

DOES PSO REQUIRE PROOF OF VACCINATION OR NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST TO ATTEND CONCERTS? 

Currently, your PSO does NOT require proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test to attend concerts at Merrill Auditorium. 

WILL THERE BY ON-SITE COVID-19 TESTING AVAILABLE? 

Since your PSO is not requiring proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test to attend concerts at Merrill Auditorium, we will no longer be offering complimentary on-site COVID-19 testing. 

ARE MASKS RECOMMENDED FOR INFANTS AND BABIES UNDER 2? 

Per the CDC, your PSO does NOT recommend masking babies and infants under 2.  

I BOUGHT A SUBSCRIPTION OR TICKET AND ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE CURRENT COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS. WHAT SHOULD I DO?  

For any audience members or subscribers unable to comply with these safety protocols, we are offering free exchanges into other PSO concerts in the 2022-23 season. Please call PortTIX at 207.842.0800 to discuss your ticketing options. They are open Monday through Friday, 11 AM – 3 PM. 

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I FEEL UNWELL THE DAY OF THE CONCERT? 

We ask patrons to stay home if they are feeling unwell. 

Please contact PortTIX at 207.842.0800 for a complimentary exchange into another PSO concert in the 2022-23 season. They are open Monday through Friday, 11 AM – 3 PM. 

WILL CONCESSIONS BE SERVED? 

Currently, CONCESSIONS WILL BE SERVED at PSO concerts. Per the City of Portland, no outside food or drink is allowed in Merrill Auditorium. 

AM I ABLE TO BRING IN OUTSIDE FOOD OR BEVERAGE? 

Per the City of Portland, no outside food or beverages (including water) are allowed in Merrill Auditorium. 

SHOULD I ALLOW EXTRA TIME FOR SECURITY SCREENINGS? 

The City of Portland requires security screenings of all patrons entering Merrill Auditorium. City of Portland staff will do bag checks and have patrons walk through metal detectors directly inside Merrill Auditorium.  

Please leave large bags at home.  

Knives of any size are NOT allowed in Merrill Auditorium and WILL be confiscated.  

Please ARRIVE EARLY and allow extra time to get through the security screenings. We appreciate your patience. 

WHAT ARE MERRILL AUDITORIUM’S CLEANING AND SANITATION PROTOCOLS? 

Merrill Auditorium cleaning and sanitation protocols follow all Federal CDC Guidelines.  

• Enhanced daily cleaning procedures include frequent wipe-downs of common areas and high-touch surfaces such as railings, door handles, countertops, restroom fixtures, and the elevator.  
• All lobbies, restrooms, seating areas, and backstage rooms will be cleaned prior to, in between, and following each performance or event.  
• Hand sanitizing stations are located throughout the theater. 

PLEASE NOTE: SOME EVENTS MAY HAVE POLICIES THAT ARE MORE RESTRICTIVE THAN THE VENUE POLICY. Please check the EVENT PAGE on our website for the most up to date information for your specific event. Click here to view our full event listing and click on your event to find specific policies.

CITY OF PORTLAND
Public Assembly Facilities Division – Health and Safety Requirements
Updated – March 25th 2022

We are no longer requiring proof of vaccination or negative test for events at our indoor venues which include Merrill Auditorium, James A. Banks Sr. Portland Exposition Building, and Ocean Gateway.

LATEST MASK UPDATE: MASKS are RECOMMENDED for all attendees ages 2+ at public events in indoor facilities including Merrill Auditorium.

Please note, some events may require additional health and safety protocols, depending on requests from the artist, event organizer, promoter, or league.

Please inquire with specific ticket providers, event organizers, promoters, and teams to review any additional requirements. Updates will be posted on appropriate websites and social media.

The Public Assembly Facilities Division of the Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department of the City of Portland makes the safety of all guests, staff, performers, athletes, vendors, and volunteers the top priority, and we will continue to review and update our guidelines as needed. All Health and Safety Policies are subject to change.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Stay Home if Sick
All guests, performers, clients, and staff should stay home if they:

• Are sick or have COVID-19 symptoms including fever, chills, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, congestion, nausea, or vomiting.
• Have been directed to self-isolate or quarantine by a health care provider or public health official.

Face Masks
MASKS ARE RECOMMENDED for all attendees ages 2+ at public events in indoor facilities including Merrill Auditorium.

Tickets and Seating
All ticketing is handled by PortTIX, the official ticket vendor for Merrill Auditorium.  Tickets are currently being sold for full capacity. Touchless ticket scanning has been implemented to reduce contact. Please follow signage and direction from Merrill Auditorium staff and ushers to navigate to the appropriate seating location. Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the management.

Food and Beverage
Concessions are being offered at most events (some event organizers may choose not to offer concessions).

Bag Restriction
Guests are strongly encouraged to leave bags at home to reduce points of contact during the security screening process at entry. Medical bags, diaper bags, and small purses are permitted.

ASSUMPTION OF RISK
Attendance at this event is subject to facility rules and regulations including compliance with COVID-19 orders and guidelines. Ticket holders voluntarily assume all risk and danger incidental to the performance or event, including but not limited to potential exposure to COVID-19. Management reserves the right to refuse admission.

Click Here to view more information about Merrill Auditorium including directions, parking, and general venue policies.

The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 is extremely contagious and is believed to spread mainly from person-to-person contact. As a result, federal, state, and local governments and federal and state health agencies recommend social distancing and have, in many locations, prohibited the congregation of groups of people.

The City of Portland (herein “Merrill”) has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19; however, Merrill cannot guarantee that you will not become infected with COVID-19.

By purchasing tickets, I confirm I have read, understand and agree to this Release and Waiver. I further acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk that I may be exposed to and/or infected by COVID-19 as a result of or in relation to attending events at Merrill Auditorium and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and/or death. I understand the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 at Merrill Auditorium may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of myself and/or others, including, but not limited to, patrons, employees, volunteers, and program participants. I voluntarily agree to assume all of the foregoing risks and accept sole responsibility for any injury to myself (including, but not limited to, personal injury, illness, disability, and/or death), damage, loss, claim, liability, or expense, of any kind, that I may experience or that may be incurred (herein “Claims”) in connection with my attendance or participation in events at Merrill Auditorium. I hereby release, covenant not to sue, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless Merrill and PortTIX, its employees, agents, and representatives, of and from all Claims, including all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs or expenses of any kind arising out of or relating thereto. I understand and agree that this includes any Claims based on the actions, omissions, or negligence of Merrill, its employees, agents, and representatives, whether a COVID-19 infection occurs before, during, or after participation in any Merrill event.