Due to the announcement below, SMHA has updated it's refund policy for this season. Please see the updated language
here.
Hi SMHA Families,
As previously communicated, on September 1, 2021 the Government of Ontario
announced its decision to require, beginning on Sept. 22, 2021, proof of full vaccination (two doses plus 14-day waiting period) for access to
certain indoor facilities, including indoor “facilities used for sports and fitness activities and personal fitness training, such as gyms, fitness and recreational facilities.”
The City of Ottawa has since released information pertaining to rink facilities in which the SMHA has a presence.
Effective September 22nd 2021, City of Ottawa facilities will require patrons to be fully vaccinated and will have to provide proof of their vaccination status and ID to enter their facilities.
***We understand that this may cause a delay in gaining access to the facility & we ask for your patience in the days ahead.***
For what types of activities is proof of vaccination required?
- Lane and public swims
- Fitness classes – including Aquafit
- Weight/cardio drop-ins
- Instructional programs like cooking, music or art classes
- Youth over 12 and adult sports and drop-in activities
- Theatre or studio performances or cinema
- Most rental activities - including rinks, stands, player benches & timekeeper box, etc.
What are the exceptions? (BUT NOT LIMITED TO)
- All activities for children 11 years of age and under.
- Organized sports and physical activities for youth between the ages of 12 and 17, including on ice sports, sport leagues, badminton, table tennis, tennis, ball hockey, martial arts, dance, basketball, swimming lessons, aquatic certification courses or volleyball.
What about spectators?
- Adults and youth over 11 years old who accompany children or youth into a facility for activities will require proof they have been fully vaccinated.
What about Volunteers related to the activity?
- Under the provincial guidelines, exceptions are in place for Coaches & Bench Staff. Please note, some facilities are not following this exception and will require proof of vaccination upon entry.
What proof is required?
- Proof of vaccination
- Electronic or hard copy of their vaccination receipt confirming two doses received at least 14 days prior.
- Vaccination receipts can be downloaded and printed from the provincial booking portal.
- After October 22, the Province will introduce an enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code as another option. The previous verification method will still be accepted after this is introduced.
- Valid identification that includes name and birthdate
- Identification must be issued by an institution or public body and show the name of the identification holder and their date of birth. Photo identification is not required and the identification does not need to be government-issued.
- Some examples of valid identification (not an exhaustive list):
- Birth certificate
- Citizenship card
- Driver’s licence
- Government (Ontario or other) issued identification card, including health card
- Indian Status Card /Indigenous Membership Card
- Passport
- Permanent Resident card
- Student card, if birth date is shown
What is considered fully vaccinated?
- Two doses of the vaccines approved by Health Canada, plus 14 days to build immunity.
Do we really have to ask our regular customers every time?
- The regulations do not allow recording and storing the vaccination status of clients. Like other COVID screenings, each client’s vaccination status will have to be verified for each entry.
Who is responsible for checking vaccination status for facility rentals?
- The rental contract holder (team, league, event organizer, business) will be responsible for following the provincial proof of full vaccination requirements for their indoor event or activity, which includes verifying identification and proof of vaccination. For City delivered programs and activities, City staff are responsible.
Is there a grace period?
- No, The regulations come into effect on September 22.
OTHER FACILITIES & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- We know that the SMHA has a presence outside of City of Ottawa Facilities and as such we ask that you please follow the instructions posted by these facilities as they will vary from rink to rink.
- Please see attached for Sensplex Rinks: https://www.sensplex.ca/covidresponseplan/
- If you have not already seen the information on vaccination requirements released by the province, you can find the links here:
IN CLOSING
We know that this will impact access to rink facilities across the city and we ask for your continued patience and understanding as we work through this new protocol. As we have all seen over the past 18 months, Covid-19 protocols continue to change and organizations like ourselves are asked to pivot with very limited knowledge on timing.
Please share this email with your network to ensure we are all aware, prepared and working together for the common goal of giving our SMHA families a great Hockey experience.
Thank you all & see you at the rink..!!!
Scott
--
Scott Phelan
President - Stittsville Minor Hockey (SMHA)
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