Vendors prepare for vaccination requirements at Mosaic Stadium

The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ COVID-19 vaccination requirements will impact more than just fans.

Vendors will have to make sure their staff members who work at Mosaic Stadium are either fully vaccinated or able to provide a negative COVID test if they choose to work at the stadium on game days.

June Kovacs, the owner of Coney Island Poutine, agrees with the new rules that were announced Monday.

“I believe that it is a good measure to protect our staff and our clients,” Kovacs said Tuesday. “I think it’ll be a little challenging with our staff because it is so large, so we may have a few challenges. But I think we will overcome it.

“I do not believe the new rules will impact our business. I believe it is a good measure to protect our staff and our clients.”

Kovacs added that 35 people work at Mosaic Stadium on behalf of Coney Island, and she noted most of them are vaccinated.

“Our staff in our restaurant has been mostly vaccinated, except for one of our staff members who has a health restriction,” Kovacs said. “If they choose to work at Mosaic, they’ll have to get a COVID test or else not work at the stadium that day.”

The logistics of how the new policy at Mosaic Stadium will be enforced has not been released yet, with the new rules expected to go into place on Sept. 17 when the Riders play host to the Toronto Argonauts.

Kovacs added she hasn’t heard any more details from the Roughriders on how the new policy will work, and whether or not there will be any differences for staff compared to fans.

Saskatchewan already has played three home games during the abbreviated 2021 season.

After Sunday’s Labour Day Classic against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Roughriders will have three home games left in the regular season. Those include their first game with the new policy on Sept. 17, then contests against the Calgary Stampeders on Oct. 9 and the Edmonton Elks on Nov. 5.