Photo by Rene Huemer, via @phish on IG

With COVID-19 on the rise in many U.S. counties and Phish tour kicking off in less than 24 hours, the Vermont Quartet have shared an update regarding safety precautions for fans, asking for “a good measure of caution and common sense.”

Just hours before taking the stage at the Walmart AMP in Rogers, Ark., the band emphasizes that “the best thing you can possibly do before coming to a show is to GET VACCINATED! Furthermore, as social distancing is not possible inside the venues, we highly recommend wearing a mask at these outdoor shows when closer than 6 feet to others, regardless of whether or not you’re vaccinated. Being vaccinated AND wearing a mask at these shows is the best way you can show love and respect for our incredible community.”

The band’s July 28 performance marks Phish’s first full concert in 521 days.

They last took the stage on Feb. 23, 2020 at the Moon Palace Resort in Mexico, celebrating the final night of their sold-out Riviera Maya destination event.

Check out Phish’s full message to fans below:

Summer Tour Begins Tonight — Please Read!

This summer tour has been a long time coming, and everyone is thrilled to finally kick it off tonight!

As excited as we are to be back on tour, the world is not yet back to normal. If you’re coming out to a show this summer, it goes without saying that with the recent rise of coronavirus infections nationwide, a good measure of caution and common sense will go a long way towards keeping everyone as safe and healthy as possible.

To that end, the best thing you can possibly do before coming to a show is to GET VACCINATED!  Furthermore, as social distancing is not possible inside the venues, we highly recommend wearing a mask at these outdoor shows when closer than 6 feet to others, regardless of whether or not you’re vaccinated. Being vaccinated AND wearing a mask at these shows is the best way you can show love and respect for our incredible community.

While venues will have quantities of free masks available at every show (for tonight’s show, there are masks available at the medical station inside the main gate), please be sure to bring your own. Please check with venue websites before you head to the shows to see what containers are permissible to bring in; many venues have adopted a clear bags policy in an effort to minimize contact upon entry.

We ask that you please DO NOT COME to the show if you have tested positive or been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days, or are experiencing symptoms of the virus.

Thanks for keeping these precautions in mind — we’re all in this together. It takes each one of us to make sure that we can all continue to see live music safely.