(Reuters) – The Metropolitan Opera (NASDAQ) in New York announced Wednesday that it would require its audiences and employees to prove the existence of a COVID booster shot in January, amid increasing concern about Omicron.

The Met Opera stated in a statement that the new requirement would take effect Jan. 17th 2022. This is believed to be the first time such a move has been made in New York City.

This was in response to growing concerns about Omicron variants in the United States. According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Rochelle Walensky, there are at least 36 confirmed cases. This represents about 3% of all COVID-19 patients in the United States.

A booster, proof of double vaccine and masking, that have been in place for six months or more at the Met (one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world) and Broadway theatres will also be needed.

According to the Met, proof of booster shots will be needed for everyone who is eligible. This includes audience members as well as staff.

“We think we should be setting an example,” Peter Gelb, the general manager of the Met, told the New York Times in an interview on Wednesday.

“Hopefully we will have an influence on other performing arts companies as well. I think it’s just a matter of time — everyone is going to be doing this,” Gelb added.

Broadway Theaters were opened again in fall following a 18-month closure due to coronavirus. A vaccine mandate was issued and audiences required masking.

Many Broadway plays, such as Tina the Musical and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, were forced to cancel performances due to COVID cases among the cast.

Los Angeles: The celebrity red carpet to the film musical Cyrano was postponed Wednesday by United Artists because it felt there had been too much caution in the face of the evolving COVID landscape.