Regina Symphony Orchestra latest organization to require proof of vaccination

The Regina Symphony Orchestra (RSO) will require those 12 years of age and older attending its concerts to be fully vaccinated.

An announcement was posted to the RSO’s website on Tuesday ahead of its first performance on Sept. 18, saying the decision was made because of rising case numbers of COVID-19 in the province, along with the higher risk posed by the more-transmissible Delta variant.

RSO music director Gordon Gerrard said the orchestra had been watching similar organizations introduce health and safety protocols in response to the fourth wave.

“In order for us to feel like we’re providing a safe place for our musicians and for the people that come to our concerts, we felt strongly that instituting this vaccination policy and mask policy was the right thing to do,” Gerrard said.

The RSO’s website says children under 12 must be masked, while adults are only “asked” to wear a mask at concerts. However, Gerrard said face coverings will be mandatory for everybody.

“Any performance space that the RSO is performing in, we will require people to wear masks,” he said.

Acceptable proof of vaccination can include a printed version of somebody’s record from MySaskHealthRecord. Visitors can also have that record on their phones. The vaccine card given during immunization will also be valid.

Those who are unvaccinated will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test from a rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours before a show. A PCR test must be completed within 72 hours before a concert.

Gerrard said these rules apply to performers and staff as well. So far, the measures have been met with praise and have been something patrons and musicians have been asking for, he said.

“A lot of people were holding off, perhaps, on buying tickets until they knew that we were going down this path,” he said.

“We’ve already seen, received a number of emails this morning saying ‘Thank you’ and saying they feel much safer coming to be part of our music-making.”

That said, he’s also prepared for pushback.

“We’re prepared to talk to people if they have concerns if they want to talk about the reasons why,” Gerrard said. “Those are certainly conversations that can be had. But we feel that most people understand why we have gone this way. We’re certainly not alone and we feel that this is the right way to go.”

Last month, City and Colour announced people will need to be fully vaccinated in order to attend its Regina concert this fall. Attendees who are not vaccinated will need to provide results of a negative test taken 48 hours before the event.