As the spread of infections increases among children who attend sporting and athletic facilities, Niagara Region’s Chief Medical Officer of Health issued a letter of instructions in consultation with business associations and local area municipalities.
The Letter of Instructions was issued under Section 2, Schedule 1 of Ontario Regulation 364/20 under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act. These instructions create legally binding requirements for anyone responsible for a business or organization that operates indoor areas of facilities within the Niagara Region that are used for sports, athletic and recreational fitness activities.
“Especially with the holiday season upon us, this is a good reminder to continue following public health safety measures to ensure the health and safety of yourself and others,” stated Lord Mayor Betty Disero. “This new measure implemented by Niagara Region Public Health reminds us not to become lenient and to do all we can, individually and collectively, to reduce the rate of infection.”
The following additional measures will be required of indoor sports and athletic facilities, effective December 10, 2021:
- Controlling the capacity in the highest risk areas of these facilities (e.g., change rooms, washrooms) to facilitate minimum 2-metre physical distancing and reduce the spread of infection;
- Minimizing the amount of time people attending the facility spend in enclosed spaces by not permitting those entering the facility to enter more than 15 minutes before the start of the event, and requiring them to vacate the facility within 15 minutes following the event
- Requiring a vaccination policy for employees of these facilities.
The following additional measure will be required of indoor sports and athletic facilities, effective December 25, 2021:
- Ensuring all individuals aged 12 and older must show proof of vaccination to enter these facilities unless a person has a valid medical exemption.
These additional requirements are being implemented because the majority of Ontario continues to see an increase in COVID-19 cases, with a few areas now seeing a spread rate higher than their second and third waves. Multiple outbreaks in sports and athletics have caused children to become infected and spread infection into schools.
“This letter of instructions coming from the Chief Medical Officer of Health is a step of caution to protect all children,” stated CAO Marnie Cluckie. “This is an important measure to help keep our children safe and our facilities and schools open.”
These measures are separate from the Provincial COVID-19 Emergency Orders and will remain in effect until further notice.
For more information about the letter of instructions, please visit https://www.niagararegion.ca/health/covid-19/reopen/default.aspx. To learn more about how this effects Town arenas, please visit notl.com/content/arenas.
Media Contact:
Marah Minor, Community Engagement and Communications Coordinator
905-468-3266 | communications@notl.com