COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

JUNE 15, 2021 – We are excited about the possibility of returning to live events and in-person interactions, but the health and safety of our community remain a top priority during this time. Everyone working in the live performance industry needs to do their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at work.

Everybody participating in our events must follow safety protocols including:

  • Wear a mask (Mandatory in shared spaces)
  • Wash your hands
  • Stay 2 metres apart when possible

Also,

  • Staff and volunteers will be required to complete an online symptom screening form before entry.
  • Hand sanitizing stations will be available on site
  • There will be visual markers to encourage distancing where queues may form

By participating in any event produced by the Hispanic Arts Society, you are voluntarily assuming all risks related to COVID-19, including exposure and contracting COVID-19. Further, you agree not to hold The Hispanic Arts Society, liable for any damages, loss, or injury related to COVID-19, including exposure to or the contracting of COVID-19.

Failure to comply with the event’s COVID-19 policies and/or other safety protocols and those of the City of Calgary and/or Alberta Health Services will result in a warning and/or removal from the event at the discretion of event organizers. Refunds will not be issued if removed from the event for failure to comply with COVID-19 safety protocols.

Outdoor gathering restrictions has changed.

JUNE 10, 2021 – Alberta entered Stage 2 reopening on June 10. According to the Alberta government, all restrictions could be lifted by late June or early July if vaccination targets are reached and hospitalizations declined.

In Stage 2, outdoor public gatherings for concerts and festivals are up to 150 people. Masks must be worn indoors as part of the additional safety requirements.

This year we are celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Expo Latino Festival. We are planning small in-person events and already visualizing how our festival will be in 2022. Stay tune!

In the meantime, please follow the current COVID-19 protocols:

  • Wear a mask
  • Wash your hands
  • Stay 2 metres apart when possible

Health Alerts and Information

Zero incident filming the 2020 Expo Latino Festival

October, 2020 – On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that an outbreak of the viral disease COVID-19 had reached the level of a global pandemic. the WHO called for governments to take urgent and aggressive action to stop the spread of the virus, citing concerns with “the alarming levels of spread and severity”.

The scale and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic clearly rises to the level of a public health threat that could justify restrictions on certain rights, such as those that result from the imposition of quarantine or isolation limiting freedom of movement.

The Hispanic Arts Society closed its office on March 16, 2020, and has continued supporting volunteers and users through virtual services. In 2020, for the first time in 24 years, we didn’t have our iconic Expo Latino Festival at the Prince’s Island Park. However, we decided to film artists for 2 weeks indoor and outdoor and stream dances and concerts for 3 days in September.

We followed all safety protocols and we didn’t have any case of COVID-19 as a consequence of this production. We worked with around 90 people to make the Virtual 2020 Expo Latino Festival.

Hopefully, we can come back to live events and festivals next year and we can celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the festival.