People could be asked to prove their COVID-19 vaccination status to get into live events

Ticketmaster global president Mark Yovich has spoken about a potential development in how live events could function in the future folllowing the coronavirus pandemic after pharmaceutical company Pfizer published the initial results for a potentially effective new COVID-19 vaccine, which could prevent over 90% of people getting the virus.

In a new interview with Billboard, Yovich has given some insight into how live events could operate in a post-pandemic world.

Ticketmaster are apparently developing a new system that will allow venues to verify attendees' COVID-19 vaccination status through smart phones.

As Billboard notes, the plan will largely rely on three components - the Ticketmaster digital ticket app, third party health information companies (CLEAR Health Pass, IBM's Digital Health Pass), and testing and vaccine distribution providers (Labcorp, the CVS Minute Clinic).

The system, if approved, will operate from the moment people buy a ticket to a live event. Those buying tickets may need to verify if they've been vaccinated (or if they've tested negative for COVID-19 in the past 24-72 hours), and if they test positive or haven't taken a test, they will not be granted entry to the event.

Billboard also reports that Ticketmaster's plan doesn't give the company access to medical records, and instead the company will just receive verification as to whether someone can attend an event or not.

Yovich said, "We’re already seeing many third-party health care providers prepare to handle the vetting -- whether that is getting a vaccine, taking a test, or other methods of review and approval - which could then be linked via a digital ticket so everyone entering the event is verified."

He added, "Ticketmaster’s goal is to provide enough flexibility and options that venues and fans have multiple paths to return to events, and is working to create integrations to our API and leading digital ticketing technology as we will look to tap into the top solutions based on what’s green-lit by officials and desired by clients."

The piece also confirms that if the technology is approved, regional health officials and event organisers can choose to implement their own protocols such as masks and social distancing.