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Star Wars Celebration ‘updates’ health and safety guidelines despite rising COVID cases

Meg Dowell
Meg Dowell

Dork Side of the Force

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 11: Lego exhibit during the Star Wars Celebration at McCormick Place Convention Center on April 11, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/Getty Images)

The cancelation of the 2020 Star Wars Celebration event due to the pandemic left many fans waiting for the return of the franchise’s largest in-person convention. It’s finally happening in 2022 despite COVID cases continuing to rise. Previous safety guidelines promised attendees a safer experience, but those guidelines have since changed.

The official Star Wars Celebration account posted a tweet earlier this morning sharing an update on the convention’s health and safety guidelines pertaining to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The updated guidelines no longer require proof of vaccination, which means attendance is now permitted even if you’re not vaccinated against COVID-19.

"“As we continue to review health & safety protocols, taking into account federal, state, local and venue recommendations, Star Wars Celebration Anaheim will now require proof of full vaccination OR negative test for attendees in order to enter the show.Every attendee will still be required to wear an approved face covering at all times while attending the show.”"

Previous Star Wars Celebration health and safety guidelines required “proof of full vaccination for age 5+. Those under the age of 5 must present a lab-reported negative test. At home tests will not be accepted..” These rules are now outdated.

The new guidelines do not require proof of vaccination if none exists — only a negative test and a face covering, which does not guarantee that a person is COVID-free, risking the spread of the disease among Celebration attendees of all ages despite mask mandates.

SWCA promises more updates on how these rules will be enforced.

Star Wars Celebration Anaheim 2022 takes place from May 26 to May 29 with more guests, panels and more to be announced in the weeks leading up to the event. Stay tuned for more coverage before and during the convention.

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Meg Dowell

Meg Dowell

Meg Dowell has served as a Site Expert and contributor across multiple sites on the FanSided network. She is a professional journalist and the host of Now This Is Lit: A Star Wars Books Podcast, where she interviews publishing professionals and facilitates book discussions. Meg also writes for Star Wars Insider. She can be reached at megdowell21@gmail.com. Meg has conducted dozens of interviews with authors, editors, audiobook narrators, and more. She has served as a Senior Editor for multiple online media companies and the Managing Editor of several online publications. She earned her Master of Science in Health Communications from Boston University and specializes in covering TV, Movies, Books, and Music.