WORCESTER, Mass. - One of Worcester's larger entertainment venues is dropping COVID-19 protocols for most of its shows.

Starting this week, the Hanover Theatre is no longer requiring audience members to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test, vaccination, or wear a mask for most shows.

Hanover Theatre president and CEO Troy Siebels said they've operated with these protocols for the last six months and he's excited to welcome audiences back to enjoy shows the way they were meant to be watched. 

"As the industry has evolved many of the touring shows coming through have loosened their protocols in keeping with the ebbing of the pandemic and we are grateful to be able to do that here as well,” Siebels said. “There are a couple coming up that will require that of us and so we will be really clear on our website about that."

Siebels said the theater has invested in its HVAC systems to improve air filtration and to keep audience members safe.