Broadway is reopening in just one week: Don’t forget to bring your proof of vaccination, masks, and negative COVID-19 test results for children.

As Broadway prepares to welcome back audiences at full capacity in a week, ticketholders are likely making final arrangements for their performances in the first week.

This year, you'll need to do more than just plan your dinner reservations and outfits; Broadway requires proof of vaccination, mandatory mask-wearing regardless of vaccination status, and negative COVID-19 tests for any attending children.

In July, New York City's Broadway announced that proof of vaccination and mask-wearing will be mandatory for all performances through October 2021.

Attendees must be fully vaccinated—meaning at least 14 days after the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine or 14 days after receiving a single-dose vaccine—from an FDA- or WHO-authorized vaccine, and they must present proof upon entering the theater.

According to a press release from the Broadway League, "All 41 Broadway theaters in New York City will require vaccinations for audience members, performers, backstage crew, and theater staff for all performances through October 2021." Masks will also be mandatory for audiences inside the theater, except when eating or drinking in designated areas.

Children under 12 or individuals who cannot get vaccinated for medical or religious reasons must provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of the performance to gain entry. However, policies may vary by theater; for instance, the Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall have stated they plan to prohibit unvaccinated attendees for now.

The city's 41 major theaters closed on March 12, 2020, initially intended to be a four-week suspension. At that time, 31 productions were active, including eight in previews and another eight in rehearsals. Unfortunately, some of those shows will not return, including "Mean Girls," "Hangmen," Disney's "Frozen," and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

Exciting shows are set to reopen, along with a few new ones, throughout September and into October. Among the productions returning at full capacity on September 14 are "Hadestown," "Waitress," "Wicked," "The Lion King," "Chicago," and "Hamilton." New additions "Pass Over" and "Lackawanna Blues" will also debut with full-capacity performances on the same day.

Several other shows are planning to reopen or premiere later in September and into October, including the longest-running show on Broadway, "The Phantom of the Opera," which will resume performances starting October 22.

The eagerly awaited return of Broadway marks a significant move towards normalcy for musical enthusiasts, and the newly implemented policies provide a means to enjoy the performances we've long awaited while reducing the risks associated with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

With New York City mandating proof of vaccination for most indoor activities, this vaccination requirement has become standard practice. However, the need for children to present a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours or a negative antigen test taken within six hours may pose a significant challenge for families wanting to bring their kids to the theater—especially since some theaters are not allowing children under 12 at all.

These measures will be enforced for all performances through at least October, but there is a possibility that the requirements will be extended as the delta variant continues to spread in the U.S. and new variants emerge.