Anime Central Rescinds Most COVID-19 Safety Measures Days Before Convention (Updated)

Anime Central is scheduled to hold their 2022 event in just a few days, and while they’d spent months advertising that they were requiring masks and either proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test, earlier today they officially rescinded that policy in an announcement made on the convention’s official social media.

This is especially alarming since as of this time no exceptions have been made for the convention’s refund policy for attendees who no longer feel safe attending the event. This also puts artists and vendors who may be financially relying on the event in a difficult position, as they may not have applied to the show or agreed to vend if the safety requirements were not in place. Ironically, just two weeks ago, the event put out a tweet insisting that COVID-19 safety guidelines would not change prior to the event.

The convention has been vague in their official messaging, seeming to deflect blame on the venue. The venue seems to be denying this though, and we don’t have any further clarification on the matter.

An internal message was sent out to most of the staff earlier today as well, which has been leaked several places (including to this thread on Twitter) where it was clarified that the safety protocols were still in place for Anime Central staff members. The reasons for the decision were still kept fairly vague, with the message saying:

A lack of support from the venue, combined with last-minute communication regarding that lack of support caused the MAPS board to bring together everyone at the Committee Chair level, including assistant chairs, and after a set of collaborative discussions, the MAPS board, the Committee Chairs, and Assistant Committee Chairs made the decision to proceed in the direction announced this morning.

Honestly, this last minute reversal of policy is jawdroppingly irresponsible. At the very least, the event owes those who preregistered the chance to roll over their badges to a 2023 date, if not an immediate full refund. They were repeatedly promised an event with certain safety protocols in place, and if MAPS and Anime Central cannot provide that, they cannot provide what they promised to consumers. To not have the logistics settled days before one of the largest conventions in the midwest is, frankly, concerning.

We’ve reached out to Anime Central for comment, but have yet to hear a response.

Update (5/17): Anime Central has partially backtracked, and updated their COVID-19 polcies to require masks in the following parts of the con:

• All guest and panelist events
• The Dances
• The Exhibit Hall
• The Artist Alley
• The Gaming and Entertainment Hall

There have still been no changes to the vaccination or negative COVID-19 test policies though, with neither being currently required.