DOOR COUNTY, Wis (NBC 26) -- Proof that you're vaccinated or that you've recently tested negative for COVID-19 is becoming more commonplace in some indoor spaces. From businesses, concert venues, restaurants, and local non-profits, many are now requiring proof that their guests aren't sick.
At Write On, Door County, a local non-profit hosts as many as seven workshops per week for aspiring and seasoned writers.
"We offer classes and programs for writers and readers of all ages and all stages throughout the country and beyond," says Jerod Santek the Artistic Director of the non-profit.
Santek says the workshops often last about a week, bringing poets, novelists, and playwrights together to critique one another's work.
"It's easy to start, it's hard to finish," says Santek with a grin.
But recently organizers got concerned about whether they could continue, at least in their current in-person setting, because of another spike in COVID cases.
"We thought we'd be in a much better place this fall in terms of doing events and programs," adds Santek.
The solution: Write On Door County will now require all participants of their indoor events to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test which was taken within 48 hours of their events.
"When you get down to it, it was pretty simple. We just want to keep people safe. We want to keep people healthy. We didn't want to put anyone at risk," says Santek.
This is pretty unique to Door county according to Jon Jarosh, the interim CEO at Destination Door County. But he says it's likely that more businesses and non-profits will consider following suit as we head into the fall.
"As temperatures cool off and more things tend to move inside there are going to be some businesses that have to make some choices. If that's what it takes to keep us open and keep people happy and healthy then I think these are some of the things, we're going to have to do," says Jarosh.
