There is a steady increase in Covid-19 cases in youth between the ages of 12 and 17, according to Durham Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Kyle.
As a result, the number of Covid-19 cases associated with indoor organized sports, and the new Omicron variant, additional public health measures are required in facilities where organized sports are played and/or practiced, he said.
Organized sports include indoor training, practices, games and competitions, and include activities such as participating in sports leagues, dance classes, martial arts, swimming classes, etc.
“To protect the health and well-being of residents, on December 8, following consultation with the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, I issued instructions to all owners, operators and persons responsible for indoor areas of facilities used for organized sports and recreational fitness activities,” said Dr. Kyle.
The instructions require owners and operators of these facilities to implement and enforce proof of vaccination policies requiring:
- Coaches, teachers, instructors, individuals officiating at organized sports and volunteers to provide proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or proof of a valid medical exemption.
- Participants of organized sports and/or recreational fitness activities, that are 12 to 17 years old, to provide proof of vaccination or a valid exemption.
The policy requirement comes into effect on January 4, 2022. A phased approach is articulated in the instructions, providing time for youth to get fully vaccinated. Individuals and corporations that do not comply with the instructions may be fined, pursuant to the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to Covid-19) Act, 2020.
Activities related to organized sports have the potential to enhance Covid-19 transmission. Specifically, close contact, forceful exhalation, prolonged exposure, crowded indoor spaces and the absence of masks and face coverings during physical activity, contribute to enhanced likelihood of Covid-19 transmission. Verifying proof of vaccination in facilities where organized sports are played and/or practiced will strengthen protections in the community by helping curb the spread of Covid-19.
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