Excelsior Pass – Liberating proof to free up Big Apple revelers
Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D). Associated Press / Mike Groll
Caribbean Life, June 4-10, 2021 13
Most sports fans eager to see
a hometown New York game
will have to provide proof of
vaccinations before entering
large arenas or crowded venues.
While some may prefer to
carry the state issued card they
were issued after receiving either
of the three vaccines – Pfizer,
Moderna or Johnson & Johnson
— others will choose to store a
snapshot on their smart phones.
Anti-vaxxers will have to
endure frequent Covid-19 tests
proving negative results in order
to experience competitions they
have been deprived for more
than a year.
To expedite the check-in process,
reportedly, an informed one
million New Yorkers have already
downloaded an app enabling
receipt of the Excelsior Pass.
Issued in the name of the
state mantra, the “Excelsior Pass
provides secure, digital proof of
Covid-19 vaccination or negative
test results.”
According to a statement from
Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the free,
downloadable app provides easy
access to health status required
by airlines, restaurants, movie
houses, Broadway theaters, and
other venues. Like a passport,
the app enables confirmation
that the bearer is ‘good to go.’
Detailed information about
the Excelsior Pass can be gleaned
at epass.nyc.gov
As the season ramps up with
irresistibly, alluring, weather
conditions, the pass will bolster
assurance of safety to restore
confidence that normalcy is
within reach.
Some large venues — Madison
Square Gardens, The Barclay
Center, Central Park Summerstage
— have implemented
entry requirements to determine
seating. Segregated in designated
areas of status fewer patrons
are relegated to the non-vaccinated
sections.
While passes are not required
everywhere, the extra proof provides
a kind of seal of certainty
volunteers are willing to brag
about.
June marks the mid-point of
2021, with graduations and weddings
boosting calendar calls to
resume outings to parks, beaches,
amusement parks, museums,
Yankee and Met Life stadium
and other recreational havens.
Not withstanding, proof may
soon be required at pop-up stops
and smaller venues that host
summer film and concert series.
Following a rain-soaked
Memorial Day weekend, the next
big opportunity to flaunt freedom,
fashion and culture will
find family and friends frolicking
in the sun as if 2020 never
happened.
However, a reminder that a
pandemic interfered, offers virtual
reality to the celebration of
June, Black Music Month.
One of the annually anticipated,
summer concert series
aired on television promise virtual
performances from various
spaces.
Instead of hosting early Friday
morning gatherings at the Rumsey
Playfield in Central Park, the
Good Morning America Summer
Concert Series promise a
salute to reggae music featuring
dancehall dynamos Shaggy,
Sean Paul and Spice on June 11.
The following week on June
18, Chance The Rapper will
deliver his virtual performance
from Chicago beginning at 8:50
am on ABC-TV.
JuneteenthNY.com also slates
three days of programmed commemorative
offerings marking
the 12th annual anniversary
tribute to Juneteenth AKA the
Black Independence Day. This
year’s theme — “Rebirthing the
Roots of Entrepreneurial Excellence”
will feature tributes from
June 18 to June 20.
Reputed for attracting crowds
in Brooklyn of more than 5,000
for the one-day festival of dance,
music, poetry, food, theater, history
and merchandising, this
year’s presentation will include a
virtual weekend summit focusing
on health and wellness.
Beginning on June 18 from 10
am “Health Day-Mind, Body
and Soul” slates an enlightening
summit helmed by professionals
and specialists.
Catch You On The Inside!
Inside Life
By Vinette K. Pryce
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