As COVID-19 cases increase, the Mac’s international hockey tournament is proceeding with an abundance of caution with less than a week before puck drop..With 30 teams participating from around the world, the tournament is expected to draw in around 100,000 spectators and more than 2,000 hotel bookings over seven days..Tourism Calgary estimates the overall economic impact could come in just shy of $4 million..But many have concerns regarding COVID-19, especially with this being one of the province’s largest events this year..“We are closely monitoring the COVID situation in Calgary,” Mac’s tournament general manager Jesse Hale told the Western Standard on Tuesday..“Safety is our number one priority, and we definitely have a lot of concerns around it.”.Hale said there are serious protocols the organization has in place in case of any outbreaks..If one player tests positive for COVID-19, they are to be immediately quarantined and all their teammates will need to be tested..If three players on a team test positive, the whole team will be pulled out of the tournament. .The Mac’s tournament does not need to worry about vaccination measures or policies since those are up to the individual facilities to outline to visitors..Facilities require players to either be vaccinated or tested within 72 hours of playing to participate..The Mac’s International U18AAA Hockey Tournament is scheduled to be held in Calgary from December 27 to January 2..Ewa Sudyk is a reporter for the Western Standard.
