Rodeo competitors, workers given quarantine exemption after crossing border for Calgary Stampede
Rodeo competitors, support staff and workers coming to the Calgary Stampede have been granted an exemption from having to quarantine at a government-approved hotel after crossing the Canada-U.S. border.
Instead, they will undergo a modified quarantine and follow local and provincial guidelines.
Calling it "great news," Premier Jason Kenney announced the exemption on social media Friday morning, posting a letter from Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino.
The exemption applies to "professional rodeo participants and select support staff and workers (participants and workers) for a one-time entry into Canada" to take part in this year's Stampede, which runs July 9-18 in Calgary.
"This exemption is granted on the basis of my determination that the release of these individuals from the quarantine and COVID-19 testing in Canada is in the national interest, particularly based on the importance of sports for Canada's society and economy," wrote Mendicino.
The exemption comes after a review of protocols submitted by Stampede officials and an assessment by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) on May 28.
Those protocols include:
- Capacity to test, trace and isolate any cases of COVID-19;
- Compliance with local and provincial health guidelines;
- Implementation of a modified quarantine upon entry into Canada;
- A dedicated compliance officer to monitor the modified quarantine, and;
- Penalties for non-compliance.
Failure to comply will mean a loss of exemption for the individual, forcing them to enter the usual quarantine and testing program.
“Like Alberta itself, the Stampede has persevered through floods, fires, and much more. However, last year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was impossible to have people gather safely. Now, with vaccines on our side and Albertans lining up to get protected, we can add a global pandemic to the many obstacles the Stampede has overcome," Kenney said in a statement.
“We are also closing in on the 70 per cent threshold for Stage 3 of Alberta’s Open For Summer Plan that will end the public health restrictions.
“If you have not booked your first dose, please sign up today so we can all have a truly great Alberta summer at the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth."
Alberta is currently in Phase 2 of its reopening plan, with indoor dining now allowed, along with outdoor groups up to 20 people. Festivals and events of up to 150 people are also allowed.
The province will move to Stage 3, when all health measures will be removed, two weeks after reaching 70 per cent vaccination among eligible Albertans.
The latest data from the province says 67.8 per cent of those eligible have received a first dose.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
BREAKING McGill University seeks emergency injunction to remove pro-Palestinian encampment from campus
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.