True North keeping vaccination requirement

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This article was published 24/02/2022 (1336 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The province of Manitoba is removing proof of vaccination requirements effective March 1, but True North Sports and Entertainment is going to wait a bit longer before loosening up.

True North sent a survey to its season ticket holders this week to gauge their views on how the organization should respond to the provincial health orders changing. The findings led to True North announcing Thursday that proof of vaccination will be required for Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose games until April 30. On March 15, Canada Life Centre will follow the province’s lead and no longer make masks mandatory.

“With regards to masks, True North thanks fans for their diligent mask use over the course of the season. The strong compliance from the majority of our fans has been greatly appreciated. However, as time has passed, varying compliance has created conflicts amongst fans and between fans and employees,” said True North president and CEO John Olfert in a letter to fans.

“Mask use has become increasingly difficult for our teams to monitor and enforce, and we expect this to only escalate following the lifting of the provincial mandate. Therefore, effective March 15, we declare Canada Life Centre (along with all other True North venues) as a Mask-Friendly Venue where mask use by guests will be strongly encouraged, but not required. It is our hope and expectation that everyone’s personal choice will be respected and any harassment and abuse toward fellow guests or staff will not be tolerated.”

The survey had more than 3,900 responses, with 42 per cent of respondents indicating they would be comfortable or very comfortable with having the proof of vaccination requirement lifted on March 1 (in alignment with provincial orders), while 55 per cent said they would be uncomfortable or very uncomfortable (the remaining three per cent said they were unsure).

Of those who indicated they would not be comfortable with the vaccination requirement being lifted on March 1, 90 per cent said they would prefer the vaccination requirement to remain in place until at least April 30.

-Staff