Happy Friday!
Starting today, Friday July 17th, some regions of Ontario have moved into Stage 3. The COVID-19 Return to Play Page and Protocol (Version 5) has been updated, please see below for the changes to accommodate these regional changes:
Gathering Size
Stage 3 regions will be allowed an increase in gathering sizes – 50 maximum for indoor locations, and 100 for outdoor locations. With that in mind, the OFA COVID-19 Return to Play Protocol has been updated with the following changes:
1. Align designated group sizes to gathering sizes. Designated groups will match the indoor gathering size limit of the region.
For those clubs in Stage 3 regions, this means a maximum of 50 individuals per indoor class, and 100 per outdoor class.
For those clubs in Stage 2 regions, the maximum gathering size indoor or outdoor remains at 10.
2. Reduce the area allocated to each athlete from 300 square feet (~30 square meters) to 150 square feet (~15 square meters) to allow for more individuals per class.
For smaller training spaces, this may still mean that the maximum number of individuals inside the facility at any given time is less than the gathering size minimum.
Combat:
Combat is still not permitted in either private lessons or group training, unfortunately, as stated in Regulation 364/20 (Rules for Areas in Stage 3), Schedule 2, Section 8.1:
Every person who engages in sports or a recreational fitness activity at the facility, other than a team sport, must maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person at all times during the activity.
We understand that this is likely not the message athletes, coaches, and clubs were hoping for, with those clubs in Stage 3 regions hoping to move to Phase 2 with private combat lessons. We are actively pursuing clarification on this regulation with the Province. Should we receive further updates that would allow for this, we will communicate that to clubs immediately
Please note that the Risk Evaluation, Hygiene, and Triage section has also been modified with an updated COVID-19 symptom list, the addition of travel outside of Canada, and the inclusion of close contacts in Section 1.2b.
We hope that everyone is staying safe, healthy, and enjoying the sunny weather wherever you are!
Cheers
