All provincial mandatory public health restrictions were lifted on June 14, 2022.
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination will not be required to participate in the 2023 Canadian Birkie Ski Festival.
- Masking is not a requirement for participation. Masks will be offered for participant’s use at their own discretion.
Alberta Health Services provided General Guidance on COVID-19 and other Respiratory Infections (June 2022) to event organizers in reducing the risk of transmissions of infections. These guidelines can be found here.
This guidance recommends good practices for preventing infections, including getting vaccinated against COVID-19, staying home when sick, proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, enhanced cleaning and disinfecting, and maintaining adequate ventilation.
The Canadian Birkebeiner Society takes this guidance very seriously and will reflect good practices and due diligence toward the prevention of infection.
COVID-19 and Respiratory Infection Policy
Applies to all Birkie participants including athletes, volunteers, staff, spectators, and suppliers and service providers at all Festival activities. These Festival activities include:
- Full Moon Birkie (January 7)
- Volunteer’s Night (February 8)
- Nordic Fair (February 10)
- Canadian Birkie Saturday and Viking’s Feast (February 11)
- Barnebirkie at the Silver Skate Festival (Canadian Birkie Sunday, February 11)
- New Moon Birkie (February 18)
Measures for Birkie Festival Events
- Participants are asked to stay home if they are experiencing symptoms the day of the event.
- Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes will be provided at entrance/exits to indoor Festival venues, such as the Red Barn, Festival Tent, changing facilities, Volunteer’s Night, Nordic Fair, Viking’s Feast, and Barnebirkie food station.
- Masks will be provided at these Birkie venues for participants to use at their discretion.
- Some participants may prefer to wear their own masks and to carry a small hand sanitizer.
- Participants may wish to wear masks on Strathcona County buses to and from the parking lot.
- The Birkie Patrollers and medical volunteers at all food/aid stations and at the finish line will adhere to protocols for the isolation and evacuation of any participants who exhibit initial symptoms during the event.
Provision of Food at Canadian Birkie Events
- Events with tables for eating, such as the Festival Tent, will be provided with disinfectant wipes for participants to use in wiping down surfaces prior to sitting down.
- This gives participants an active role in helping to ensure everyone’s health and safety.
- Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes will be provided at food stations.
- On site signage will remind participants of the importance of hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette (such as observing appropriate spacing between individuals).