Area coaches, volunteers and officiators of indoor organized sports will soon have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Northern Ontario’s seven Medical Officers of Health, including Dr. Kit Young Hoon of the Northwestern Health Unit and Dr. Janet DeMille of the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, have issued instructions to facility operators under the Reopening Ontario Act to require those coaching, volunteering or officiating aged 12 and older to provide proof of vaccination or a valid medical exemption as of October 14.
“Vaccination is one way to protect people and allow these sports to continue,” explains Dr. Kit Young Hoon. “It was noted in the provincial regulations that were recently released that there were exceptions given for coaches, volunteers and officials and so that was felt to be a weakness in the legislation that needed to be addressed, so this is happening across the north.”
Health Officials say the new requirement comes as organized sports have the potential to increase risk COVID-19 transmission.
“You do have to exert more energy, more forced exhalation, it’s close contact definitely within two metres and often people are not wearing masks, plus it’s indoors,” continues Dr. Young Hoon.
Currently, Ontario requires proof of vaccination for all those 12 and older entering any indoor sport facility for spectating and recreational fitness facilities but exempts those aged 12 to 17 who are actively participating in organized sports.
However, the Northern Ontario Medical Officers of Health are continuing to monitor the local COVID-19 situation and adjust instructions as needed.
Now in the fourth wave of the pandemic, health officials are cautious of the highly transmissible Delta variant, the dominant strain, causing COVID-19 cases.
With all seven Northern Ontario public health units are implementing the same requirement, officials add this will also help reduce the risk of spread and keep communities safe when groups and teams travel.
Health Officials say everyone aged 12 and over is still strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Additionally, Municipalities, businesses and organizations across the region are strongly recommended to develop or may already have their own COVID-19 vaccination policies in place.
