(980 CJME file photo)

By CJME News

Roughriders to make COVID vaccinations necessary for fans at Mosaic Stadium

Aug 30, 2021 | 10:26 AM

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are making COVID-19 vaccinations a requirement to attend CFL games at Mosaic Stadium.

Fans will have to be fully vaccinated against the virus or provide a negative COVID-19 test result to attend their home games. The start date is set for Sept. 17, when the Toronto Argonauts are to visit the Roughriders.

The decision comes as active cases of COVID-19 in the province once again have surpassed 2,000.

“In consultations with local medical health officers this past week, they voiced their support to begin requiring proof of vaccination at Roughrider games,” Craig Reynolds, the Roughriders’ president and CEO, said in a media release.

GST Holiday

Federal government's two-month GST holiday begins

4h ago

Imminent need

Council set to discuss possible location for homeless shelter on 15th Street

10h ago

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

Dec 13, 2024

“After speaking with our stakeholders, including the City of Regina — our stadium owner, REAL — our stadium operator, and the CFL, we decided that this is the right decision for our Club and for our fans.”

According to the Roughriders, fans under the age of 12 are exempt from the requirement. People in that age group aren’t eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

A negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of the start of the game will also be accepted for partially vaccinated adults or those who may be unable to receive the vaccine for medical or religious reasons.

“We continue to strongly encourage all of our fans to get fully vaccinated for the safety of themselves and others and to wear masks to our games as an extra layer of protection,” Reynolds said.

The Roughriders said they’ll be working on how to accept proof of vaccination over the next several weeks.

Saskatchewan already has played three home games during the abbreviated 2021 season — and the new policy won’t be in place before Sunday’s Labour Day Classic against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

After Sunday’s contest, the Roughriders will have three home games left in the regular season: Sept. 17 against Toronto, Oct. 9 against the Calgary Stampeders and Nov. 5 versus the Edmonton Elks.

The Elks announced a similar policy Monday, with that requirement to take effect Oct. 15.

The Elks have been dealing with an outbreak on their roster, with 13 players testing positive. Edmonton’s game against Toronto last Thursday was cancelled due to the positive tests.

All of the CFL’s teams now have a vaccination policy in place.

More to come.