By Medicine Hat News on October 23, 2021.
sports@medicinehatnews.com Hockey fans interested in attending the World Juniors this winter in Red Deer will be required to be vaccinated. Hockey Canada and its board of directors announced Friday in a press release that they will be implementing a policy mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for all participants who are active in any international or national event hosted in Canada. This includes: all on- or off-ice activities or programs hosted or controlled directly by Hockey Canada. This will mean that all participating players, coaches, team staff, on-ice officials, event volunteers, spectators and any other individual associated with an event who is in contact with the aforementioned group must have received the necessary doses of a Health Canada-approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the start of the event. Hockey Canada said in their press release they will consider exemptions based on guidance from government and public health authorities, as well as experts retained by the organization. The IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton and Red Deer will be played under a National Interest Exemption regarding vaccination and COVID-19 protocols and will allow fully vaccinated ticket holders to attend. 7