Hasting and Prince Edward Counties/Oct. 4, 2021
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) has issued a Letter of Instruction that requires all owners, operators, and individuals responsible for indoor facilities that host organized sports in Hastings and Prince Edward counties to confirm proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all coaches, officials and volunteers aged 12 and older associated with indoor organized sports.
A letter of instruction issued by a local Medical Officer of Health is authorized by Ontario Regulation 364/20 made under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 and compliance is mandatory.
“The new provincial proof of vaccination requirements did not specify proof of vaccination requirements for certain participants of organized sports, including volunteers, coaches and officials. Given that these individuals will have close contact with children who are too young to be vaccinated, I am requiring proof of vaccination for volunteers, coaches and officials participating or associated with indoor organized sports,” said Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health and CEO at HPEPH. “Until we have a vaccine available for children under 12, the best way to protect them is to ensure that the adults who they come in contact with during indoor sports activities are fully vaccinated.”
The requirement takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on October 5, 2021 and will remain in effect until further notice. In addition to proof of vaccination, individuals responsible for indoor facilities must continue to comply with all other public health measures related to screening, physical distancing, use of personal protective equipment, and maintaining a record with contact information for every member of the public who enters the facility. The Letter of Instruction does not affect the exception that players aged 12 to 17 do not need to show proof of vaccination if they are entering a sports facility for the sole purpose of practicing their sport.
In order to ensure that these protections continue when individuals participate in indoor organized sporting activities beyond our borders, HPEPH has worked closely with several other health units who will also be implementing similar Letters of Instruction.
For more information about COVID-19 vaccination, visit https://hpepublichealth.ca/vaccine-booking/
Media Contacts:
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist,
mhyland@hpeph.ca
Emily Tubbs, Communications Specialist
etubbs@hpeph.ca
About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
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