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Masks Now Mandatory at All Times for All Participants

By Ontario Volleyball, 11/05/20, 12:00PM EST

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Face Mask Usage

In order to minimize potential exposure and spread of COVID-19, the OVA has taken extra precautions and effective immediately, it is mandatory for all participants to wear a face mask at all times for any indoor volleyball activity. This includes athletes while they are on court for training activities and during scrimmages and game play.  The health and safety of our members is paramount and this step is critical in helping our sport to return safely.

Based on the province of Ontario's Face coverings and face masks regulations, exemptions from mandatory face mask usage is in effect for multiple reasons. Examples include:

  • Those who have a medical condition that inhibits their ability to wear a face covering;
  • Those whom are unable to put on or remove their face covering without help from someone else;
  • People that receive accommodations according to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 or the Human Rights Code.

Please remember - no proof is required for the exemptions.

Coaches and athletes are encouraged to bring multiple masks with them to their practice, scrimmage or matches as it recommended not to use damp masks.  Participants are asked to change them over the duration of the session as a means to reduce the potential of accumulating germs. Participants must wash or sanitize their hands after changing their masks/before touching volleyballs.

Return to Play (RTP) Protocols

Updated Indoor Volleyball RTP documents were forthcoming this with all of the new information on mandatory mask requirements, event hosting guidelines and updated daily health screening requirements for communities in Stage 2 and Stage 3 of Ontario's Re-Opening Plan.  However, with the new Government of Ontario Tiered COVID-19 system released on November 2nd, the OVA is awaiting the e-laws to be released to review all details to be able to adjust the RTP documents once again to reflect the new COVID-19 Tiering System.

There will be a Town Hall session on Monday, November 16th at 7:00 p.m. to review all of these changes to the RTP protocols.  Please sign up here.

We know this is such an uncertain time and it is a whirlwind to keep up with all RTP protocol revisions, but as always, thank you for all that you are doing in the volleyball community to keep healthy and safe while bring back the sport that we love.