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“Vaccination is strongly recommended as a requirement participation in all events, including the Hall of Fame Lunch, Parent Kick-off, Tailgate Reception, Gala/President’s Ball, etc. At a minimum, proof of a negative test within 72 hours should be required of unvaccinated individuals.”

Masks are required for all parade participants, including those in cars, on floats, on horses, on other vehicles, and on foot, except when actively performing in the parade. Masks are required during times of idling within formation and disbanding zones, unless actively eating/drinking and for all staff and volunteers.

There will be additional information forthcoming once the city and Tournament of Roses meet.

We contacted Rose Parade CEO David Eads, for clarification on several questions our readers have been asking us in recent weeks:

“We anticipate that we will have to follow stricter guidelines for the upcoming mass events. We are working with the city of Pasadena’s Department of Public Health and intend to share more complete and detailed guidelines in the coming weeks.

“We already know that as the host of three mega events — the Rose Parade, the Rose Bowl Game and Floatfest — the Tournament believes that vaccinations are the key to returning to mass events, like our iconic New Year’s Day celebrations, and we believe we have a responsibility to encourage vaccinations.

“The Pasadena Police Department manages security along the paraderoute. We will continue to work with them as they finalize plans for this year’s Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game.”

Additionally, indoor areas of bars, lounges, nightclubs, breweries, wineries and distilleries in Pasadena and LA County must require proof of at least one vaccine dose through Nov. 3. Starting Nov. 4, patrons will have to show that they’re fully vaccinated before entering these indoor establishments. Patrons who do not provide proof can be served outdoors.

Health officials said the new requirements are meant to reduce risk for coronavirus transmission in the county and increase vaccination coverage.

“We do need to work together to improve vaccination coverage until we reach a vaccination level so high that the virus, or a new variant of the virus, would have trouble gaining traction,” L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said in a recent statement. “The millions of individuals who remain unvaccinated unfortunately represent opportunities for viral transmission and mutation.”

With the city and Tournament stressing the vaccine’s importance, we can imagine this year’s parade will be different in many ways. However, for more details we may have to wait until November for concrete requirements to participate and watch the annual ritual. Beacon Media will update any mandates as the news warrants.

The Pasadena Police Department, supported by the Tournament of Roses Association and city officials, will be closing the Rose Parade route early to vehicular traffic to enhance public safety measures. Route closures will be effective at 10 p.m. on Dec. 31 through 2 p.m. on Jan. 1 along Colorado Boulevard, from Orange Grove Boulevard to Sierra Madre Boulevard, and northbound on Sierra Madre to Paloma Street.