Ontario Soccer, in consultation with Canada Soccer and governmental sport and public health advisors, continues to monitor the most recent developments surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Ontario Government announced on Monday, as part of their Stage 2 plan for the re-opening of the economy, that a total of 31 Public Health Unit Regions were now cleared to begin re-opening.

As part of that announcement, it included the directive that Outdoor Amateur Team Sports can begin “training” under Ontario Soccer Return to Play protocols on a regional basis.

Included in the re-opening plan are conditions specific to recreational facilities which dictate what can open and who is able to utilize these facilities.

Ontario Regulation 263/20 Stage 2 is of particular importance, including sections 13, 14, and 15 which contain the regulations for now both indoor and outdoor facilities used for sports and recreation.

It is recommended that each Club, Academy, and District Association familiarize themselves with these specific regulations and ensure that their field provider, whether municipal or private, are operating in compliance with these regulations.

Please note that municipalities have the authority to impose further restrictions not included in this provincial order. It is therefore suggested that you contact your local bylaw enforcement department to ensure compliance of all local laws.

As of June 19, 2020 the following Public Health Units will be re-opening in Stage 2 (with applicable District Soccer Association inserted):

• Algoma Public Health (Sault Amateur Soccer Association)
• Brant County Health Unit (Hamilton Soccer)
• Chatham-Kent Public Health (Lambton-Kent Soccer Association)
• Durham Region Health Department (Durham Region Soccer Association)
• Eastern Ontario Health Unit (Eastern Ontario District Soccer Association)
• Grey Bruce Health Unit (Southwest Regional)
• Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (East Central Ontario Soccer Association)
• Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit (Hamilton Soccer)
• Halton Region Health Department (Peel Halton Soccer Association)
• Hamilton Public Health Services (Hamilton Soccer)
• Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (Southeast Ontario Soccer Association)
• Huron Perth Public Health (Southwest Regional)
• Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health (Southeast Ontario Soccer Association)
• Lambton Health Unit (Lambton Kent District Soccer Association)
• Leeds Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit (Southeast Ontario Soccer Association)
• Middlesex-London Health Unit (Elgin-Middlesex Soccer Association)
• Niagara Region Public Health Department (Niagara Soccer Association)
• North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (Soccer Northeastern Soccer Association)
• Northwestern Health Unit (Soccer Northwestern Soccer Association, Soccer North)
• Ottawa Public Health (Eastern Ontario District Soccer Association)
• Peterborough Public Health (East Central Ontario Soccer Association)
• Porcupine Health Unit (Sudbury-Regional Soccer Association)
• Public Health Sudbury & Districts (Sudbury Regional Soccer Association)
• Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services (Southwest Regional)
• Renfrew County and District Health Unit (Eastern Ontario District Soccer Association)
• Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit (Huronia District Soccer Association)
• Southwestern Public Health (Lambton Kent District Soccer Association)
• Thunder Bay District Health Unit (Soccer Northwestern Soccer Association)
• Timiskaming Health Unit (Soccer Northeastern Soccer Association)
• Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (Southwest Regional)
• York Region Public Health Services (York Region Soccer Association, North York Soccer Association, Scarborough Soccer Association)

The following regions will remain in Stage 1 of the provincial plan until it is safe to move into Stage 2:

• Peel Public Health (Peel Halton Soccer Association)
• Toronto Public Health (Toronto Soccer Association, Scarborough Soccer Association)
• Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (Essex County Soccer Association)

The above regions and District Soccer Associations have not been approved as of yet to commence with Ontario Soccer’s Return to Play “Phase 1 Training”.

It is important to note that Ontario Public Health Unit boundaries and Ontario Soccer District boundaries do not align perfectly and will overlap in some cases. Please consult with your local District Association or Public Health Unit to determine where your organization falls.

If your clubs require further information please refer them to our latest bulletins, the COVID-19 Updates page, which has all the latest information from Ontario Soccer, as well as resources for your members.

Please consider placing a dedicated link to the COVID-19 Updates on the homepage on your website.

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If you have any questions, please contact Patty Forbes, Director, Administration.