Budweiser Gardens, an arena and concert venue in the heart of London, Ont., has unveiled its new COVID-19 reopening plan to allow patrons and staff back inside for the return of live events and the upcoming London Knights Hockey season.
The new policy posted on its website will require all people going inside the building to show proof of being fully vaccinated or of having a negative COVID-19 test.
The policy will apply to all patrons, staff, and guests aged 12 and older starting on Sept. 3.
“We’ve gotten those indications from the provincial government and from the medical community that these kinds of steps are going to be very helpful to get back to our normal (crowd) size,” Budweiser Gardens GM Brian Ohl told Global News.
“And I’ve got to be honest, having 1,000 people in for a Knights’ game is not a sustainable model for anybody. And it leaves a lot of people standing outside and not being able to get in, and that’s not good.”
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People who are not vaccinated are required to show proof of a COVID-19 test within the last 48 hours prior to entering the building.
Those 12 and under need to be accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult.
“We’ll be setting up a number of people to help folks as they get to the building and show their documentation for their vaccinations,” Ohl said.
As per Step 3 protocols from the Ontario government, face masks need to be worn at all times, except for when eating or drinking.
Ohl added that the policy is similar to those from Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment and Live Nation Canada, and that Budweiser Gardens also looked at other provinces and other venues and ran their plan by the Middlesex-London Health Unit.
Those who are unable to show proof of vaccination will be eligible for a refund if they are the original ticket purchaser.
A full list of what is required is available on the venue’s website.
— with files from Global News’ Jacquelyn LeBel.
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