Stage 3 - Reopening Sport and RecreationThe Ontario Recreation Facilities Association (ORFA) continues to monitor the most recent developments surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the resulting public health crisis and how it affects recreation facility re-entry and reopening. The Government of Ontario announced on July 13th its plan for Stage 3 of the re-opening of the economy, which will commence on Friday, July 17, 2020. Nearly all businesses and public spaces will reopen in Stage 3 of the province's reopening framework with public health and workplace safety measures and restrictions in place. As Ontario continues down the path to economic recovery, decisions on which regions will enter Stage 3 and when will be made in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts and based on trends of key public health indicators. As part of the Stage 3 reopening, Ontario will be increasing gathering limits for those regions entering the next stage to the following:
Public gathering limits apply to indoor and outdoor events, such as community events or gatherings, concerts, live shows, festivals, conferences, sports and recreational fitness activities, fundraisers, fairs, festivals or open houses. A two metre distance must still be maintained at such events. Regions remaining in Stage 2 will maintain the existing gathering limit of 10. Social circles in all stages at this point will also be kept to a maximum of 10 people province-wide, regardless of stage. Note: A social circle is a group of up to 10 of the same people who can interact with one another without physical distancing, regardless of which stage of reopening their region is in. Social or public gatherings may include different social circles, but are subject to gathering limits and physical distancing of at least two metres. Learn more about social circles. The Government of Ontario regional approach to re-opening in their Stage 3 plan, will include the following public health unit regions:
The following regions will remain in the government’s Stage 2 plan, as additional time is required to assess and monitor any impacts and readiness to move into Stage 3:
Additionally, the following changes are highlighted and taken from the Framework for Reopening the Province, released July 13, 2020. FACILITIES FOR SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL FITNESS ACTIVITIES
Read workplace guidance to help develop and update your COVID-19 safety plan: TEAM SPORTS AND LIVE SPORTING EVENTS
PLAYGROUNDS AND PLAY STRUCTURES
RECREATIONAL COURSES AND INSTRUCTION
RECREATIONAL ATTRACTIONS AND BUSINESSES
MINISTRY OF HERITAGE, SPORT, TOURISM AND CULTURE Further to the information contained within the Governments Stage 3 Reopening release, the following changes relate to the sport and recreation sector. Facilities for sports and recreational fitness activities, including gymnasiums, yoga and dance studios and other fitness facilities, may open if they comply with the following conditions: 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. 2. The total number of members of the public permitted to be at the facility in a class, organized program or organized activity at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from other persons in the facility, and in any event cannot exceed:
3. The total number of members of the public permitted to be at the facility in areas containing weights or exercise machines at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the facility, and in any event cannot exceed 50 persons. 4. The total number of spectators permitted to be at the facility at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the facility, and in any event cannot exceed:
5. Team sports may only be practised or played within the facility if they do not allow for physical contact between players or if they have been modified to avoid physical contact between the players. 6. Organized team sports that are practised or played by players in a league may only be practised or played within the facility if the league either:
7. Any equipment that is rented to, provided to or provided for the use of users of the facility must be cleaned and disinfected between each use or, where used in a game or practice, at the end of play, such as at the completion of a game or practice. 8. Activities must not be practised or played within the facility if they require the use of fixed structures that cannot be cleaned and disinfected between each use or, where used in a game or practice, at the end of play. |