Lollapalooza requires masks indoors

CHICAGO - Following Friday's recommendations from the city of Chicago, the Lollapalooza music festival is requiring people to wear masks indoors starting Saturday.

The U.S. or Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that people, even if vaccinated, wear masks indoors in areas with a high transmission of COVID-19. According to Chicago's health department, the city surpassed 200 new coronavirus cases per day on Friday. The number of new cases in Illinois increased by nearly 50% during the week, compared with the previous week, state health officials said.

"Based on the latest advice from the Chicago Department of Public Health, Lollapalooza will require masks in any indoor spaces at Grant Park beginning Saturday," festival officials said on Twitter. "We encourage all fans attending the festival to bring a mask as they attend the final two days of the festival."

On opening day Thursday, festival officials said more than 90% of attendees showed up with proof of being vaccinated, while 8% showed proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Six hundred people were turned away because they didn't have either, according to a tweet by festival officials.

Lollapalooza ends Sunday.