Ontario Government Announces Arena Guidelines Changes
/The province has announced A Plan to Safely Reopen Ontario and Manage COVID-19 for the Long Term according to Peterborough Public Health (PPH) announced Monday.
File Photo.
PPH has confirmed that facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities including areas for spectators within those facilities, can make updates to their facility safety plans. Below are some of the key highlights of the announcement:
Effective 12:01 a.m. on Mon. October 25th, 2021:
Proof of vaccination (POV) is required for every person 12+ entering the indoor facility unless they have an approved exemption.
In the Peterborough Public Health region, there is a letter of instruction in effect for indoor facilities where organized sports are played or practiced that must be implemented, which requires POV for coaches, volunteers, and officials 12 years of age and older (effective Oct. 18th), as well as for active participants 12-17 (which commences Nov. 26).
For more information about approved exemptions, refer to the guidance document, beginning on page 4.
Capacity limits for facilities can be removed; which means confirming proof of vaccine is exceptionally important.
Physical distancing requirements in spectator and non-spectator areas can be removed.
Contact tracing requirements remain for everyone entering the facility
Active screening requirements remain for everyone entering the facility
Facilities are still required to have safety plans
Organized sports leagues and organized events must submit a safety plan to the facility prior to being granted a permit to use the facility
Everyone must wear a mask indoors, limited exemptions apply (including when a person is engaged in athletic or fitness activity)
Enhanced cleaning & disinfection is still required
Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Public Health.
Reopening/Exit Step Guidelines-General:
1. Hand sanitization upon entry of the facility is highly recommended.
2. Masks are required in indoor areas. Some exemptions apply as per the provincial regulations.
3. All individuals entering must provide proof of vaccination (POV) before entering the facility. Individuals must be fully vaccinated (two doses plus 14 days) against COVID-19 and provide their proof of vaccination along with approved Identification in order to access all indoor sport and recreation facilities. Limited exemptions are permitted.
4. All individuals entering an arena facility must actively screen to record the name(s) and contact information of every member of the public entering the facility. This includes all participants including coaches, athletes, and spectators from both home and visiting teams, using the following link (https://www.peterborough.ca/ArenaScreen/). Confirmation is presented in digital (email/screenshot) or printed paper copy form to security/city staff prior to entry
5. Floor markers, signage and enhanced cleaning measures using disinfectant with a DIN# are implemented to control the risk of transmission.
6. An approved safety plan is required from each user group prior to facility access or rental
Reopening/Exit Step Guidelines- Arenas:
Groups are to enter using designated entry points and adhere to all directional signage and staff direction while inside and while exiting the facility.
Prior to entry, all individuals including players, coaches/trainers, instructors, officials/ timekeepers, and all spectators must provide POV and completion of screening to on duty security/city staff at designated entry points of each facility
No capacity limit to on ice participants, unless identified (i.e. Public Skating/Programs)
Full access allowed during the following hours (Mon-Fri 4pm-11pm or Weekends 7am-11pm), but designated entrances must be utilized
Controlled access is still effective for all nonprime hours Mon-Friday 6a-3pm. Access to be provided by city staff 30 mins prior to permitted time at designated point of entry.
Changerooms provided with no capacity restrictions. Please note rooms may not be available immediately but will be no later than 30 mins prior to permitted time
Changerooms are to be exited by all players/coaches 20 mins following permitted time to permit required cleaning and sanitizing by City staff.
Showers will be available to all user groups
Off-ice training and activities (i.e shooting pucks/balls) are not permitted inside the facility. Warm up activities such as stretching will be permitted but should be minimized within the facility.
All permit holders are responsible for ensuring their groups and participants adhere to all governing body sport regulations and policies (e.g., Hockey Canada, Ontario Hockey Federation, Skate Ontario etc.).
All permit holders must ensure that groups of participants and spectators adhere to all Arena Guidelines and Facility Code of Conduct.
