Regina mayor Sandra Masters did not mince words when sharing her opinion on whether the Saskatchewan Roughriders should mandate a COVID-19 vaccine policy for games at Mosaic Stadium,
Masters was on 980 CJME radio on Thursday.
“I think the CFL is going to make this decision and that the Riders will of course participate in looking for vaccination verification. Or worst-case scenario, that negative tests [be produced before] coming into the building,” Masters said.
Saskatchewan Health Minister Paul Merriman wants the Roughriders to make the facility a vaccine-only facility for fans. The Riders are one of just two CFL teams yet to mandate proof of COVID vaccination or a negative test for anyone attending their games in Regina.
Masters said it’s fortunate the Riders haven’t had any “major spreader events” during their three home games to begin the 2021 season. The Saskatchewan Health Authority warned of possible exposure on a shuttle bus and in Pil Country with nine confirmed cases stemming from the August 6 home opener.
“I sway to people getting vaccinated, I’m getting pretty frustrated with folks who are holding out,” Masters said.
The province of Manitoba did not see a significant increase in coronavirus cases two weeks after the Blue Bombers held their home-opener on August 5, which hosted a crowd of approximately 30,000 fully-vaccinated fans.
Policies have been announced in B.C., Calgary, Winnipeg, Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, leaving Edmonton and Saskatchewan as the only remaining CFL teams that permit unvaccinated fans to enter their stadiums.