'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
BREAKING Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
B.C.'s short-term rental regulations include $10K daily penalties for Airbnb, other platforms
Short-term rental platforms that violate B.C.'s pending regulations can face administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per day, officials announced Thursday.
Closing arguments heard in trial for Sask. dad accused of abducting daughter
Closing arguments were heard Thursday morning in the case of Michael Gordon Jackson, the Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter in 2021 to keep her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.