On September 1, 2021, the Government of Ontario announced its decision to require proof of full vaccination at select settings beginning September 22. Full vaccination entails two doses plus the 14-day waiting period. As this pertains to sport, the requirement for vaccination applies to 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 with the exception of youth recreational sport.”
As of September 22, Ontarians will be required to show their vaccine receipt when entering designated settings along with another piece of photo identification, such as a driver’s licence or health card. A transition to a digital authentication will be made at a later date.
The Government of Ontario regulations are currently not yet available to review. The OVA will wait on the official regulations to be distributed by the provincial government along with information on how this will be mandated for amateur sport. The OVA will follow up with legal consultation regarding implementation and additional questions. Review and approval will also be sought by the OVA Board of Directors. The membership will be updated once we have all of the information.
The OVA Step 3 Return to Play protocols state that anyone that operates programming should strongly encourage all eligible staff and athletes to receive the COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible, and at the earliest opportunity before training, league or competition starts. Government-mandated exemptions, such as legitimate exemptions based on Ontario’s Human Rights Code and children ages 11 and under who are unable to be vaccinated are exempted from the vaccination requirements, unless there are additional developments made in this regard.
The OVA will issue additional details regarding its vaccination mandate in accordance with Government regulations and public health requirements and recommendations.
The OVA wants to thank its membership for continuing to keep each other safe by following the return to sport protocols.