“A COVID-19 cluster at the Verbier Festival has left musicians in isolation and led to changes in the program of the Verbier Festival Orchestra’s (VFO) first concert with conductor Valery Gergiev next week,” reads an unsigned article in Monday’s (7/12) Violin Channel. “Isolation for affected individuals began on Thursday, July 8…. As of … July 12, nine cases in the Verbier Festival Orchestra have been confirmed according to a festival spokesperson…. All festival participants will receive a rapid antigen test on both Monday, July 12, and Thursday, July 15. Those who tested positive must remain in quarantine for 10 days…. Those in the VFO bubble cannot come into contact from any other individuals—including the Chamber Orchestra, which is arriving on July 11 and 12, until further notice… The Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra will replace the Verbier Festival Orchestra in an adjusted program on July 16…. In light of falling COVID-19 case numbers and in accordance with guidance from Swiss authorities, Verbier had been operating as a festival without vaccination requirements, mask requirements when outdoors, or quarantining … It remains unclear whether the [festival’s] COVID-19 protocol will change for the remainder of the festival, which is set to run through August 1.”
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