EFRA COVID Safety Update 2021-09-21

This is an important update regarding proof of vaccination requirements. Please read this email carefully to ensure you’re prepared for ice-times going forward. If you are not prepared or comply you will not be permitted to enter the facilities.

Beginning tomorrow, the Ontario government requires patrons to be fully vaccinated (including the 14- day waiting period) and provide their vaccination receipts or medical exemption alongside government- issued identification (i.e. Birth certificate, Citizenship card, Drivers licence, Government (Ontario or other) issued identification card including health card, Indian Status Card/Indigenous Membership Card, Passport or Permanent Resident card) to access the CW Community Sportsplex and the Elora Community Centre.

Today, both Centre Wellington Township and Ringette Ontario released updated protocols to comply with these requirements. EFRA and our members are required to comply with these policies and protocols as per below.

New Proof of Vaccine Requirements:

• Everyone 18 years of age and older entering the facility will be required to provide proof of vaccination (or exemption) as outlined in O. Reg. 364/20.

o This includes all EFRA players, officials, bench staff, volunteers and third party contractors (i.e. hired for power skating or skills clinics)

• Youth players aged 12 to 17 are not required to provide proof of vaccination to play but must comply with all other screening procedures.

• Youth spectators 12 and older must provide proof of vaccination and comply with all other screening procedures.

• Players or spectators under the age of 12 are exempt for all reasons of entry but must comply with all other screening procedures.

• It is the responsibility of the participant or their caregiver to ensure they have the appropriate documentation to gain entry to the facility. Players or their caregivers may be required to show proof of birthdate for youth in their care. People will not be permitted in the facility if they fail to produce proper documentation or identification.

  • Proof of vaccination must be provided every time you enter the facility. O. Reg. 364/20 outlines businesses/organizations are not permitted to keep this information on file.
  •  You will have received printed proof of vaccination following your vaccine. However, you can obtain your proof of vaccination at https://covid19.ontariohealth.ca/. After accepting the terms of use, you will be prompted to enter your health card number, at which point you can download your receipt(s) from your COVID-19 vaccine(s). Take a picture of the documents or save a screenshot from your phone. Out-of-province or international students can contact their local health authorities for information.
  • Validation of identification is considered to have been completed/successful when the name and date of birth of the presenter of the vaccination receipt and the name and date of birth on the identification document match. If the name and date of birth on both documents do not match, the individual will not be allowed to enter the business or organization.

Prepping for ice-times:

Here’s what you need to know and be prepared for going forward:

1. 48 hours before your ice-time:

• Confirm your attendance for each scheduled ice-time in the RAMP Team App.

2. On the day of your ice-time:

• Players and bench staff need to complete the health check in the RAMP Team App. This is the screening record we keep as a ringette association and will be monitored by your team’s COVID Safety Coordinator (CSC).
• Everyone entering the facility (players, coaches, parents, siblings, etc.) need to complete the Township’s Screening Tool www.centrewellington.ca/screening.

3. Before leaving your house:

• Make sure you bring printed or digital proof of your approved screening form and vaccination (as per above requirements) for everyone expecting to enter the facility.
• Please limit the number of spectators attending the facility to minimize wait times at the check in.
• All players are strongly encouraged to arrive fully dressed to limit times in dressing rooms.
• Players unable to dress themselves (i.e. FUN 1, 2 or 3 groups), must arrive dressed - except for skates, helmet, mouth guard, and gloves. It’s recommended these are brought in a small duffle bag.

4. Upon arrival:

• You must enter/exit through the main entrance only. Centre Wellington Township has hired a 3rd party security firm to enforce township screening and vaccination requirements.
• Please arrive earlier than normal for your scheduled ice time. Everyone accessing the facility will enter through the main entrance and there could be line-ups/delays as people go through security.
• Face coverings must be worn at all times while in the facility.
• Remain physically distanced (2 meters) at all times from those outside of your household.

5. Once you’re past security, head to your designated ice-pad where your CSC will greet you and help direct you further:

• Players must remain physically distanced at all times, unless engaged in sport/activity. o Players must wear a face covering until they are fully dressed and ready to engage in physical activity.
• For players who can dress themselves and tie their own skates, they will be directed to the assigned change rooms until their ice-time begins.
  • Only players and coaches are allowed in the change rooms.
  • Each change room has a maximum of 12 people (including coaches); this is a strict limit.
  • In cases when there players exceed change room capacities, they will need to get ready in the over-flow areas and will be permitted to store their equipment in a change room during the ice-time.
• For any players who need help tying skates, parents can help tie skates in the overflow areas.
• Any players unable to dress themselves (i.e. FUN 1, 2 or 3 groups) must arrive dressed in equipment, except for skates, helmet, mouth guard, and gloves. They will be directed to the overflow areas so that parents can assist them with the rest of their equipment.
  • Parents must take player’s items with them to the spectator stands after tying skates.
• Spectators will be directed to the designated spectator seating areas (the stands).
  • Only those spectators that require accessibility seating will be permitted to watch from the lobby/overflow areas.
  • Spectators are highly encouraged to stay within the facility for the duration of the rental to avoid having to be screened for re-entry. There are no in/out privileges that would prevent re-screening.
  • Face coverings may be temporarily removed to consume food/beverage while seated in the spectator area.

6. After the ice-time:

• Spectators are required to exit the facility immediately following the rental, unless they are waiting for a dependant participant.
  • Spectators waiting for dependant participants must remain in the spectator area until their dependant is ready for assistance in the skate tying area or is ready to leave the facility. Spectators are not permitted to wait in other areas of the facility.
• Players and coaches must vacate the dressing rooms no more than 20 minutes following their rental.

For further details on these requirements, please visit our COVID-19 Protocols page on our website here: https://elorafergusringette.ca/category/1558/COVID-Protocols-2021---22

Please connect with your team’s COVID Safety Coordinator through your RAMP Team App if you have questions or concerns:

• FUN 2/3 - Alysha McDonald

• Pre-Season A - Erin Schmid

• Pre-Season B - Jackie Feenstra

• AA/A Tryout Group - Alison Curtis

  Thank you so much for your cooperation.

  Sincerely,
  June Perry, President & Bruce Parkin, COVID Safety Leader and Director, Programming Elora Fergus Ringette Association