COVID-19 Health and Safety Policy
NORTHERN LIGHTS FESTIVAL BOREAL 2021: HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY FOR COVID-19: GUESTS, TICKET-HOLDERS, AND ATTENDEES
WHEREAS Northern Lights Festival Boreal (herein referred to as NLFB) is a not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario and is holding Northern Lights Festival Boreal #49.5 at Bell Park in Sudbury, ON, on September 10th and 11th, 2021 (herein referred to as “NLFB 2021”).
It is mutually agreed between the “ATTENDEE” and NLFB, that each party agrees to the terms, conditions, and expectations outlined in this contract in order to keep both parties safe during NLFB 2021.
FACE COVERINGS:
Face coverings will be required outside all designated seating areas. For those who cannot wear a mask due to medical reasons, a face shield is required. Masks will be available at the gate to All Attendees who require one.
VACCINATION REQUIREMENT:
All those attending Northern Lights Festival Boreal #49.5 must certify that they have received two doses of a WHO approved vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, Astrazeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Sinopharm, or Sinovac) at least two (2) weeks prior to September 10th, and are required to provide NLFB with Proof of Vaccination. Accommodations will be made for those unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccine due to medical reasons. These policies are being implemented to ensure the maximum level of safety and security for our guests, artists, volunteers, and staff. It is a matter of health and safety and in an effort to prevent undue hardship based on cost and health and safety.
CONTACT TRACING:
All attendees must complete a contact tracing form before being admitted entrance to the grounds. A QR Code will be provided at the event in order to access our Contact Tracing form.
SELF-ASSESSMENT:
All attendees are encouraged to complete a self screening test prior to attending NLFB #49.5. The self assessment tool can be found here: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/. Alternatively, a self-screening form will be distributed along with our Contact Tracing form at the gate.
All attendees will be screened at the venue on September 10th and 11th, 2021, upon arrival at the event entrance. This screening process can be bypassed if the attendee presents the results of the above self assessment. The Attendee consents to their information being shared with Public Health Sudbury and Districts in the event of an outbreak or if required of NLFB to provide to said health unit.
SCREENING:
Screening will be provided on site to any Attendee who is unable to receive a COVID-19 Vaccination due to medical exemption. All Attendees who are unable to receive a COVID-19 Vaccination due to medical exemption acknowledge that they will be subject to a COVID-19 testing via Antigen Test. All Attendees certify that upon two consecutive positive COVID-19 test results, both The Attendee and the Volunteer Tester will be isolated and Public Health Sudbury and Districts will be notified. The Attendee will leave and immediately get a PCR test in the health district coinciding with their residence, and will follow all protocols set forth by said health district. NLFB will refund The Attendee the cost of their ticket. These policies are being implemented to ensure the maximum level of safety and security for our guests, artists, volunteers, and staff. It is a matter of health and safety and in an effort to prevent undue hardship based on cost and health and safety.
Northern Lights Festival Boreal encourages all Attendees, especially those who are unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccination due to medical exemption, to get a Rapid Antigen or within 48-24 hours prior to the start of the event. Should you choose to take this step and show your negative test result at the door, you can bypass the rapid testing process.
If attendees begin experiencing any of the symptoms listed below within three (3) days prior to September 10th they will not be admitted to NLFB 2021. If such symptoms arise, The Attendee certifies that they will make NLFB aware, and NLFB will advise on the necessary actions, ie. PCR test for verification or a refund will be issued. Symptoms of COVID-19 can be found here.
This is not our entire Health and Safety policy. You can read our entire Terms and Conditions here.
STAY ON SITE:
Upon entry to the fenced-in event grounds on September 10th or 11th, 2021, leaving the fenced-in event grounds is not permitted until the end of the event. If absolutely necessary, this can be accommodated on a case by case basis at the discretion of the Executive Director. This policy is being implemented for reasons of contact tracing, and to limit contact with those outside the grounds who cannot be screened, and areas which we cannot guarantee the sanitation of.
FAQ (sourced from the Ontario Human Rights Commission):
1. Can a service provider (NLFB) require proof that I’ve received a COVID-19 vaccine?
Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine is voluntary. At the same time, governments across Canada are examining and beginning to set conditions where proof of vaccination may be required to take part in some activities. Requiring proof of vaccination to ensure fitness to safely perform work, or protect people receiving services or living in congregate housing, may be permissible under the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) if the requirement is made in good faith and is reasonably necessary for reasons related to health and safety. Under the Code, organizations have a duty to accommodate people who may be unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, for reasons related to disability or creed, unless it would amount to undue hardship based on cost or health and safety.
2. I do not believe in vaccinations (or masks and lockdowns). Does the Human Rights Code exempt me based on creed from COVID-19 requirements like providing proof of vaccination set by my employer or a service provider (NLFB)?
Not all beliefs amount to a creed under the Code. The Code does not define creed. The OHRC’s Policy on preventing discrimination based on creed sets out guiding factors, based on case law, to help organizations, and ultimately tribunals and courts, make these determinations.
The OHRC’s position is that a singular belief or personal preference against vaccinations or masks does not appear to be protected on the ground of creed under the Code.
Also, not all creed-related needs must be accommodated in the Code-protected social areas, such as employment, facilities and services or housing. The requirement to wear a mask or prove vaccination may represent a reasonable and bona fide requirement for health and safety reasons, especially when serious risks to public health and safety are shown to exist like during a pandemic.
3. Do I need to get a medical note to support my accommodation request?
Consistent with the OHRC’s Policy on ableism and discrimination based on disability and its Policy position on medical documentation to be provided when a disability-related accommodation request is made, employers (NLFB) should take requests for accommodation in good faith.
