We’ve gotten some feedback regarding our COVID-19 protections for the 2022 Lughnasadh Festival Weekend. Please rest assured that we’re doing everything we can to protect the atmosphere of the festival, while prioritizing the health of our community. That said, we’d like to clear the air on the concerns we’ve been receiving.
“Why is PANFEST being stricter about COVID-19 protections than the Alberta Government?”
To put it simply, because we don’t agree with what our government is doing! They have walked back restrictions much earlier than is safe. We believe that in the face of this poor decision making it is our responsibility to prioritize our community’s safety. We can’t make the government do it, so we have to do it ourselves.
“Cohorting sounds like I won’t be allowed to hang out with whoever I want to”
That isn’t what we mean by cohorting at all! Our efforts to cohort people will only apply to situations where people are both a) indoors, and b) unmasked. These situations will not come up very often! Practically speaking, we are just going to arrange it so that you’re sleeping, showering, and brushing your teeth only in spaces shared by your cohort. Weather permitting, we will be eating, having events, and hanging out entirely outdoors.
“Testing at the gate feels really invasive”
We hear this, we really do. It’s annoying and uncomfortable, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t necessary. COVID-19 is a really sneaky disease; a lack of symptoms doesn’t mean a person isn’t contagious. So we will be testing at the gate to minimize the risk of it getting into the festival. If it helps, your Board will be swabbing our noses at the gate too.
“Masking indoors feels like overkill considering the vaccination and testing requirements”
Like we said before, COVID-19 is a really sneaky disease. We get that on paper our vaccination and testing requirements make it sound like COVID-19 won’t be able to get into the Festival Weekend. But the fact is that people can test negative and still become sick soon after, and vaccinated people can still get COVID-19. Masking is a necessary extra layer of protection.
Re: Masking Indoors
Think to yourself, how much time do you *actually* spend indoors at the Festival Weekend? This is a trick question, because we know it isn’t a lot! The whole point of our festival being in “a secluded private campground southwest of Edmonton” is to be OUTSIDE. A bit of inconvenience for the sake of community safety is all we are asking. Part of what makes PANFEST so special is that we are a community that cares about – and takes care of – each other.
“I don’t want to have to mask while I sleep”
That’s good, you shouldn’t! Masking while you sleep is a suffocation risk, we wouldn’t expect that of you. That’s what cohorting and air purifiers are for!
“Masking will make it harder to understand presenters, so events will be less accessible”
That is possible, which is why we’re going to be having events outdoors. You won’t need to mask at outdoor events, problem solved! And, there are ways to accommodate communication issues if something does have to be indoors.
“I am canceling my registration because of the protection measures”
Okay, that’s your right. We will certainly miss you, and hope that we’ll see you at future events.
Do you have any additional questions or concerns?
Let’s chat about them! Please email chair@panfest.ca, you’re always welcome to reach out.
Also check out our Lughnasadh Festival Weekend page for the full explanation of all of our COVID-19 protection measures (with sources!!)
Blessed Be
