Ringette BC COVID-19 Update
Hello WRA Members,
The following was recently released by RBC:
Subject: October 28, 2021 - COVID-19 Update - Health Restrictions
COVID-19 Vaccination Status Update
The Provincial Health Officer has released an updated Gathering and Events Order on October 25, 2021. There are details within the Order that will affect ringette and sport participation. The updated Order, published on October 26, 2021, can be read in full on the BC Government website under Province-wide restrictions.
Please note that the updated Order has amended the definition of participant and of adult:
- Definition of “participant” - means a person present at an event including a spectator, but does not include an organizer, event staff member, official, volunteer, officiant, or any other person who is acting in an official or service capacity, or a paid performer, player or athlete;
- Definition of “adult” - means a person 19 years of age or older;
Ringette BC will continue to follow the guidelines of the Provincial Health Officer on public health restrictions and recommendations as the health and safety of our participants remains a priority.
Ringette BC has zero tolerance for any abuse of volunteers, coaches, officials, and members and anyone found to not be adhering to COVID-19 protocols will be subject to sanctions by Ringette BC as per the Safety Measures and Consequences document. | |
Proof of vaccination for Athletes: There are no changes to children and Youth athletes or adult athletes in sport. They are not required to show proof of vaccination status to participate in sport. Athletes participating in Adult Ringette (18+ or Masters) are required to show proof of vaccination; even if they are under the age of 19.
Proof of vaccination for Coaches, Volunteers and Officials:
Under Section D: Proof of Vaccination, the updated Order states:
“7. An adult must have received two doses of vaccine if the adult is leading, supervising or assisting with a program for children or youth, whether the program takes place inside or outside.
8. An adult who had not received two doses of vaccine must not lead, supervise or assist with a program for children or youth, whether the program takes place inside or outside.”
The updated Order removes the exemption for adults supervising or participating in the direct delivery of the children and youth program for sport.
As such and effective immediately, the following individuals, over the age of 19, must show proof that the have received two doses of vaccine to continue participation in sport for children and youth: - Coaches,
- Officials,
- Designated volunteers including: Safety Officers, Trainers, Managers and Minor Officials
Proof of vaccination for Spectators:
Under Section D-3: Proof of Vaccination: - Spectators, who are 19+ years of age, must provide proof in the form of a vaccine card of having received two doses of vaccine to attend indoor children, youth, and adult sports.
- Please note - there is no longer an exemption for sport events with under 50 people.
Capacity Limits
The updated Order removes the indoor capacity restrictions for sport; however, regional capacity restrictions remain in place for Northern Health (East of Kitwanga), Interior Health and Fraser East.
Records of vaccination:
Organizations are permitted to keep written records of proof of vaccination from participants, as long as they have written consent from the participant to do so. Records may only be kept for the purpose of confirming that a participant has been vaccinated, and can be kept until this Order expires or is repealed.
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Events Now Requiring Proof of Vaccination The following events have released mandatory vaccination policies for all participants attending, competing and participating:
Canadian Ringette Championships
Ringette Canada released a Mandatory Vaccination Policy for the 2022 Canadian Ringette Championships in Calgary. - The policy also applies to the following:
- Canadian Ringette Championships
- National Ringette League Regular Season Games
- Ringette Canada High Performance Camps
- Any in-person meeting or training session organized by Ringette Canada
- Applies to athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, spectators or employees and contractors participating in a Ringette Canada-led and Sanctioned Event, who are eligible to be vaccinated in Canada.
Western Canadian Ringette Championships
The 2022 Western Canadian Ringette Championships in Regina released a statement on October 27, 2022 regarding vaccination requirements from the City of Regina.
- “Effective November 1, 2021: Participants12 years of age and older accessing City of Regina facilities including all indoor arenas will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within the past 72 hours. This means all participating players, coaches, team staff, on-ice officials, event volunteers and spectators must have received the necessary doses of Heath Canada approved COVID- 19 vaccines at least 14 days prior to the start of the event.”
- The 2022 WCRC are being held in Regina and all participants are required to meet the proof of vaccination restrictions from the City of Regina to access the event facilities.
BC Winter Games 2022
The BC Games Society has released a Mandatory Vaccination Policy for the 2022 BC Winter Games in Vernon. - The policy applies to Athletes, Coaches, Officials, Staff, Volunteers, and Spectators. Everyone participating in the Games will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Full vaccination means 14 days after receiving a second dose. A negative COVID-19 test is not a substitute for proof of full vaccination.
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Mask Mandate On October 12, 2021, the Provincial Health Officer updated the Mask Mandate order to apply to children aged five and up. As a reminder, mask protocols for ringette are as follows: - Masks must be worn by everyone five years of age or older in indoor public places regardless of vaccination status; except when on the field of play.
- For athletes: Helmet off = Mask on, Helmet on = Mask off
- The field of play includes the ice surface, players benches and penalty boxes. It does not include change rooms.
- Coaches, Team Staff and Volunteers must wear a mask at all times; including when on the player’s benches during games and scrimmages.
- It is also recommended that Coaches wear a mask when on the ice if they cannot maintain consistent physical distancing.
- Officials must wear a mask to and from the field of play
- Minor officials are required to wear masks at all times
- ALL Participants must follow facility protocols about the use of masks
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Game Protocols In an effort to keep everyone safe, Teams, Coaches and Officials are not to participate in a handshake of any sorts at the end of a game. It is encouraged that teams and coaches still acknowledge their opponents and officials through a wave.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. Ringette BC will be updating the COVID-19 Resource Hub as new information is released from viaSport and the Provincial Health Officer.
Sincerely,
Nicole Robb
Executive Director,
Ringette BC | |
We urge you to visit the Ringette BC Website to read the links and information provided. They have a COVID-19 Resource Hub that contains all recent releases related to the pandemic and Return to Play. You can find this information here https://www.ringettebc.ca/the-office/covid-19-ringette-bc-resources/.
