Both Oshawa and Clarington has officially announced they will enforce the proof of vaccination and identification rules at municipal recreation facilities and fitness centres.
As of September 22, Ministry of Health guidelines require all Ontarians to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their vaccination status to access certain businesses and select indoor settings to further protect against Covid-19.
A statement from Oshawa said once in effect, community members who are eligible to be fully vaccinated must show their vaccine receipt along with government issued ID (birth certificate, driver’s licence, health card, passport) to attend a city recreation facility for the following:
- Those who are 18 years of age and older who are attending for any purpose. Certain exemptions apply, see Ontario Releasing Guidance to Support Proof of Vaccination Policy for more information.
- Those who are 12 years of age and older who are attending for the use of fitness centres and indoor tracks, gymnasiums, tennis and squash courts, leisure swimming and skating, and drop-in sports.
- Those who are 12 years of age and older attending for the purpose of spectating at any activity.
Those who are participating in a registered program that has been marked with the requires a vaccination symbol. See the Fall 2021 activeOshawa Guide on September 24, 2021 for more information. - Proof of vaccination will not be required for those between the ages of 12 and 17 years who are actively participating in indoor organized sports, dance classes, martial arts, or swimming lessons. Additionally, proof of vaccination will not be required for children who are 11 years of age and younger and are unable to be vaccinated.
Individuals who cannot receive the vaccine due to a medical exemption will be permitted entry with a doctor’s note until recognized medical exemptions can be integrated as part of a digital vaccine certificate. Certain exemptions apply, learn more at Oshawa.ca/ReopeningRecreation.
All Ontarians can print or download their vaccination receipts from the provincial booking portal. Those who do not have access to a computer or printer can call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900. For further questions about obtaining proof of vaccination, please visit the province’s New Requirements for Proof of Vaccination in Certain Settings: Frequently Asked Questions.
In-person activeOshawa fall programs
This fall sees the return of many of popular in-person recreation and culture programs designed to provide community members with a way to keep active, stay connected and be engaged while following Covid-19 health and safety guidelines.
Fall Programs will be offered at various city recreation facilities beginning the week of October 12. Learn more by viewing the activeOshawa 2021 Fall Recreation Program Guide beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, September 24, 2021 at Oshawa.ca/activeOshawa.
To register, please visit the activeOshawa online registration website at Register.Oshawa.ca. Registration opens on Friday, September 24, 2021 at 9 am.
Clarington to require full proof of vaccination
The Municipality of Clarington said it will require proof of full vaccination and corresponding identification (photo ID) from members of the public aged 12 and older who want to enter our recreation facilities and fitness centre starting on Wednesday, September 22. This policy supports the provincial legislation outlined under the Reopening of Ontario Act for anyone wishing to enter select public settings.
There are some exemptions to the regulation, including medical. Upon entry to a Clarington Recreation Facility, you will have to present a letter from a physician or registered nurse outlining the medical exemption. Children aged 12 to 17 who are participating in active recreation or organized sports, including swimming, hockey, figure skating, skating, basketball, dodgeball, teen fitness and any drop-in program targeted for that age group, will be exempt from providing proof of vaccination.
Under Provincial regulation, you are considered fully vaccinated and can show proof at least 14 days following the second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. To obtain your proof of vaccination, visit Ontario’s Covid-19 vaccination portal or call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900. If you cannot provide proof of vaccination, you will not be allowed to enter our facilities.
To protect the privacy of all our residents and participants, the vaccine information you provide will NOT be recorded for future use. You will be asked to provide the documentation each time you enter a facility.
Clarington will be enforcing these regulations as they apply to all our recreational facilities and spaces. Sports organizations renting our facilities have separate Covid-19 vaccine requirements of their participants and will be enforcing them as part of their organizational mandate.
“We are taking these steps to protect our residents and support the Provincial Government to minimize the spread of the fourth wave of Covid-19 and the virulent Delta variant. We appreciate your patience as our staff work out these new procedures starting on September 22. We are in this together. Let’s keep each other safe,” said a municipal statement.
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