'If you're unwell, don't go': Sask. top doc urges caution ahead of concert that could attract more than 13,500
Saskatchewan's chief medical health officer suggests people planning on attending Saturday's Eric Church concert in Saskatoon should "do their own risk assessment."
"If you're immunocompromised, even if you are fully vaccinated, this may not be the time for you to go to an indoor setting," Dr. Saqib Shahab said during a COVID-19 teleconference on Friday.
"If you're unwell, don't go to that concert. Stay home, get tested," Shahab said.
The concert planned for Saturday is expected to draw more than 13,500 people to SaskTel Centre, according to the venue's executive director.
Proof of full vaccination or a fresh negative COVID-19 test result will be required to attend. Because the event is being held indoors, masks are also required under the current provincial mandate. Masks can be removed or lowered when eating or drinking.
"Do these three layers provide enough protection to prevent super-spreader events? We think it does," Shahab said.
"We have to learn how to use these tools in a safe manner."
On Thursday, Opposition NDP Leader Ryan Meili expressed concern about the event and said it should potentially be called off.
"I got a call a few days ago from someone whose surgery has been cancelled. And what she had to say about the upcoming concert was it blew her mind that we are cancelling people's surgeries, a surgery that for her is not elective is absolutely necessary, but we're still having these huge public gatherings," Meili said during a press conference in Saskatoon.
"Everybody wants to go enjoy concerts, everybody wants to have some fun, but it's not a lot of fun if you end up in the ICU as a result," Meili said.
In an interview with CTV News on Friday, SaskTel Centre executive director Scott Ford said work is underway to make the concert, the largest of its kind to be held since the onset of the pandemic in Saskatoon, as safe as possible.
“We're following all the public health orders. Eric Church is pro-vaccination, all of his personnel, his entire tour, they all have proof of vaccination," Ford said.
According to Ford, the venue has been selling more than 100 tickets a day.
"All of the staff that are working, concession staff, stagehand, security, ushers, ticket takers, all have their proof of vaccination."
Beginning Thursday afternoon, SaskTel Centre started pre-screening Church fans who are attending the concert.
Either proof of vaccination must or a negative PCR test result from a test taken after 6 p.m. Wednesday must be provided.
People who complete the pre-screening process are given a tamper-proof wristband. Ahead of the concert, SaskTel Centre is also offering testing on-site at cost ranging between $25 and $30.
Fans under 12 are exempt from the screening.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.