Many events in Saskatoon, such as sporting events and the Junos, have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Organizers of events in the months ahead are still unsure if they can continue.
A new year-round, permanent site for Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan along the South Saskatchewan River is still on schedule. While there hasn’t been a slow-down in construction, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan artistic producer Will Brooks said the 2020 event itself might be cancelled.
Brooks has been in communication with other Saskatchewan festivals and Canadian art organizations to decide how to move forward and expects to make a decision by April 15.
“For us, we don’t really have the ability to wait a number of months to see what the restrictions might be in the summer,” Brooks said.
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“If we’re going to go forward with this or attempt to go forward with this, we kind of have to make that decision now.”
Other annual events in the early summer are facing a similar decision.
“As our industry continues to be ravaged by the effects of COVID-19, it’s heartbreaking to see the people we have worked with over the last 30-plus years collectively face unprecedented challenges during this pandemic,” Saskatchewan Jazz Festival marketing director Cathy McMurry said in a statement to Global News.
“We continue to assess the situation and will provide an update at an appropriate time.”
Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:
Health officials caution against all international travel. Returning travellers are legally obligated to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning March 26, in case they develop symptoms and to prevent spreading the virus to others. Some provinces and territories have also implemented additional recommendations or enforcement measures to ensure those returning to the area self-isolate.
Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.
To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out.
For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.
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