Doubled-vaxxed fans pack the stands at Halifax soccer match
The Halifax Wanderers soccer game Wednesday night was the franchise's first with full capacity -- and with COVID-19 precautions in place.
Staff and fans of the Halifax Wanderers spent the day getting ready for the quarter-final championship match up against Montreal.
"Very, very excited," says fan James Covey, "this is the first time that we've ever played a major league soccer side, so it's a big new step for the club."
But that's not the only reason the game is significant.
Wednesday night marks the first time the franchise has been given the green light from Public Health to operate a full capacity in the past 18 months.
That means more than 6,000 fans in the stands, with all required to show proof vaccination for entry.
Covey says he hasn't heard anyone complain about the requirement.
"Everything I've heard from my fellow supporters have been (that they) love to have that extra security when they show up here," he says.
"And really, we implemented a double vaccination policy a few games ago," says franchise president Derek Martin.
That was with the venue at half capacity, and Martin says those trials went smoothly.
"Public health agreed that we were a safe place we've hosted well over 20,000 fans this year without any incident," Martin adds.
For anyone nervous about the idea of having that many people here, epidemiologist Kevin Wilson says while nothing is without risk in a pandemic, the risk here, remains low.
"Everyone in attendance is ostensibly going to be not just vaccinated, but fully vaccinated," says Wilson, "and it's outdoors, which drastically in itself reduces the risk of transmission."
The HFX Wanderers had about 50 workers manning the gates to keep lines flowing.
"So there's really three steps to coming in, the first step will be a person who will do a vaccine check," says the organization's vice-president of operations, Matt Fagen, "you will show your proof of vaccination there."
That happened at all 14 entry gates, with those gates opening 90 minutes before match time, to get people in early.
Then, once tickets were taken and bags security checked as usual, it's game on.
"Everyone knows the real experience here is all about a packed wanderers ground," says Covey.
It's an experience bound to feel very much like the past -- that many hope marks a better future, as the province aims for phase five of reopening, Oct. 4.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Police investigating shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
3 Indian nationals accused of murdering Hardeep Singh Nijjar facing court in B.C.
Three Indian nationals accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are due to face court Tuesday over the killing that triggered a major diplomatic rift with India.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.