Lethbridge Exhibition discussing health protocols ahead of Whoop-Up Days
By Tim Kalinowski on August 25, 2021.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDtkalinowski@lethbridgeherald.com
Whoop-Up Days runs in Lethbridge between Sept. 2-4 with the start of the horse racing city commencing on Sept. 5. In the lead up to these first major public events for Exhibition Park since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Mayor Chris Spearman asked CEO Mike Warkentin during Tuesday’s council meeting about his organization’s preparations to meet the public health challenges that recent rising COVID numbers bring.
“We see in Medicine Hat there have been some outbreaks (after Stampede),” Spearman stated. In order to encourage people to attend and be safe, and also enhance your financial situation, what steps is Lethbridge Exhibition taking to promote public safety at this time when COVID cases are rising in the province?”
Medicine Hat recently reported over 50 new cases associated with one party at Ralph’s Steakhouse during Stampede, and overall rising numbers in that community in recent weeks.
“We have been in discussion both with Alberta Health Services about the situation in Medicine Hat as well as the Medicine Hat Stampede and Exhibition on what the situation is, and what they have been doing in Medicine Hat,” responded Warkentin. “We have looked at the best practice we have learned there and other fairs around the province and the country this summer. We are actually having an emergency team leadership meeting on this topic tonight (Tuesday), and anticipate commentary and measures coming out in the next couple days regarding what protocols will be in place at Whoop-Up Days for this year’s fair.
“Obviously the public health of all the guests attending remains the top priority for this year’s fair.”
Warkentin assured Spearman and council those protocols and measures would be announced publicly in the coming days.
Follow @TimKalHerald on Twitter
4-3
So why an “emergency meeting” shortly before the event?
Good grief, the province and others across Canada have been dealing with the latest phase of opening for weeks.
That it remains a “top priority “ at this years fair , is a bit like bolting the proverbial barn door long after the horse has disappeared over the horizon.
Perhaps this emergency committee can simply follow the Stampede, multiple entertainment venues, large corporations and other sporting events.
Here is a hint: Masks and vaccines help save lives and minimize risk.
What the heck is there to discuss?
Wow! This news are exiting