The LA Comic Con is pushing through with an in-person event celebration this December despite imposed restrictions amid pandemic.
All sorts of conventions had to be done digitally while others chose to postpone entirely. However, it seems like LA Comic Con is keen on pushing through with its event and not virtually.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the organizer is set to hold the event in the L.A. Convention Center on December 11-13. Even if large gatherings are still prohibited in California.
Large gathering still not allowed
In the event’s recent statement is assured the public that planning for the event entailed “working with the LA Convention Center and taking guidance from the State, LA County Health and the Mayor’s Office – we believe our new plans and procedures allow us to do so safely, with full CV-19 safety precautions in place.”
However, the Los Angeles Department of Convention and Tourism Development says the announcement came as a surprise to them.
Executive director Doane Liu told the publication that “[u]nder current state health guidelines, conventions are not allowed.” It is yet to be known by the department as well when the LA Comic Con will be allowed to host an in-person event.
Nonetheless, the organizers assure that they will be willing to “postpone and reschedule,” should either the LA County Health or Mayor’s Office decides that the Comic Con ” can’t have a safe show.”
Should that happen, the organizers guarantee a 100% roll-over or refund.
Los Angeles Comic Con says event will go on at LA Convention Center with coronavirus safety measures https://t.co/B8K4lTFW86 pic.twitter.com/eZmyvj1kWl
— L.A. Daily News (@ladailynews) September 28, 2020
The event’s COVID-19 safety measures
NBC Los Angeles enumerates the organizers’ plan in observance of the COVID-19 prevention.
For one, there’s more space for the event as they’ve rented out the whole convention center. They’ve calculated the space needed to manage the lines, with social distancing adherence.
Despite having a bigger space this year, tickets to be sold are at 12,000 only “at any individual session of the event.”
IN-PERSON CONVENTION: L.A. Comic-Con will move forward with a live, in-person convention in December, but it will include major changes, including limited capacity and booking the entire LA Convention Center. https://t.co/Gm0zODq64Y pic.twitter.com/jU5KlCaMbj
— KCAL News (@kcalnews) September 28, 2020
The Face Mask protocol will be strictly upheld. Everyone attending the convention will be required to wear one. In fact, free masks will be given to those who don’t have one. Security personnel will be enforcing the adherence to this regulation at all times.
The number of celebrities and panels will be reduced. Attendees will choose from five to eight panels, while the celebrities will likely be limited to 15 to 20.
For the regulation on Autograph and photograph signing, it reads:
“Celebrity autographs and photographs will have their own hall, and tickets will be sold online assigned to 30-minute time windows. Only those who have a photo/autograph appointment in that ½-hour ‘slot’ may enter the hall, so lines will be managed with 6’ separation. Con exclusives will be sold online, with designated 30-minute pick-up window time slots.”
Nevertheless, for fans who are hesitant to attend an in-person event, considering the surge of COVID-19 cases in the United States, LACC will live stream its main panes.
Featured image courtesy of Los Angeles Comic Con/Facebook