Looking to discover great seafood cuisine? Look no further than the P.E.I. International Shellfish Festival! It will take place at the Charlottetown Event Grounds from September 18 to 21. Health and safety precautions Liam Dolan is producing this year’s festival with health and safety practices front and center. These new procedures are in direct response to a Norwalk virus outbreak that occurred at the last event. With slight modifications to regular procedures, the festival ensures they maintain a safe space for everyone in attendance. It features the wonderful culinary scene on beautiful Prince Edward Island.
In light of last year’s health concerns, Dolan consulted with Dr. Heather Morrison, the province’s chief public health officer, to develop a comprehensive safety plan. The festival will have health inspectors on site 24/7, maintaining the highest health code regulations and standards.
Comprehensive Health Protocols
To that end, Dolan has listed a number of major initiatives aimed at making the festival atmosphere more safe. Hand-washing stations will be located throughout the festival grounds to promote cleanliness to all attendees as well as staff and vendors. We’ll be contracting a sanitation company to disinfect all washroom surfaces daily. This choice goes directly to the essential worries that we raised in last year’s comments.
To improve food safety, Dolan will appoint a full-time inspector for all food vendors. This inspection will be done every hour on the hour. This strict surveillance is intended to keep barbecues and picnics sanitary, and to prevent food-borne illnesses from wrongfully killing people.
“If you don’t have that certification, you don’t work in the tent.” – Liam Dolan
If we want to keep any illness from coming back, the festival will need to be intolerant. This policy will prevent symptomatic staff and food handlers from reporting to work. Daily health screenings will be provided for all staff to assess their health status.
Responding to Previous Illnesses
Our experience from last year’s festival with over 550 survey responses from attendees who were sick – many of them severely, some even hospitalized. Before we knew it, things worsened considerably. As a consequence, five people flocked to the emergency department, and one required hospitalization at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown.
Dolan made his intention clear in putting an end to something like this happening ever again.
“We are doing everything humanly possible to avoid anything like that again. Can I guarantee it won’t happen again? No, nobody can guarantee that. Not one restaurant or establishment can sit there and say it.” – Liam Dolan
We will hold samples of prepared foods in cold storage for a minimum of 48 hours post-event. This provides assurance that the foods we eat are produced safely and responsibly. While health risks still persist, this practice will offer greater tracking and response if any public health concerns develop after the festival.
Collaboration with Health Authorities
Dolan touted their comprehensive efforts and work with local health authorities, detailing mutual respect and cooperation in executing these measures. The Department of Health has been supportive of the festival’s new and improved protocols.
“The Department of Health is taking it very, very serious.” – Liam Dolan
For the first time this year, the festival is introducing a VIP experience. Third, it will serve attendees like you who enjoy a premium, more curated event experience.
“We are working very, very close with the Department of Health and we have more protocols put in place.” – Liam Dolan
