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Updates to Return to Play Guide and Plan based on new Government Framework

By Staff, 11/12/20, 2:00PM EST

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Ontario Soccer has worked with the relevant Government Health and Sport authorities to update our Return to Play Guide and Plan to better reflect the new government framework within our Return to Play three-phase approach.

Play. Inspire. Unite. 

Ontario Soccer, in consultation with Canada Soccer and the Government of Ontario, continues to monitor the most recent developments surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the resulting public health crisis and Ontario Soccer’s Return to Play Plan.

The Government of Ontario recently announced that it has moved Ontario Public Health Units into its new COVID-19 response framework to keep Ontario operating safely and to better manage the impact of the global pandemic.

In recent weeks, various public health units have reported record cases of COVID-19. As the Provincial Sport Organization for soccer, recognized by the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, Ontario Soccer has been asked to do our part through its vast membership throughout the province, to help combat the virus.  Public health is at risk.

Ontario Soccer has worked with the relevant Government Health and Sport authorities to update our Return to Play Guide and Plan to better reflect the new government framework within our Return to Play three-phase approach.

Organizations are now required to review the updated Return to Play Guide and Plan with the details of the new protocols, for each Zone, which are designated by four colours. 

Ontario Soccer will determine timelines for each Phase in alignment with the Government of Ontario provincial health authorities involving government orders, restrictions and guidelines. We will continue to update membership through our Information Bulletins, as further updates to directives are known.

Ontario Soccer has created a Reference Guide (Zones) Overview to assist the membership in understanding these changes.  The following is based on the Government of Ontario Public Health Orders. Organizations must check with their local Public Health Unit for further restrictions, which may be different from the following.

Reference Guide (Zones) - OVERVIEW

Ontario Soccer will be scheduling educational webinars on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 1 p.m. and Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 7 p.m.

Click here to register for the November 17, 2020 webinar at 1 p.m.

Click here to register for the November 18, 2020 webinar at 7 p.m. 

Please submit your questions ahead of participation via HelpDesk@OntarioSoccer.net with the subject line “Return to Play Guide 2.0 Questions.”

Ontario Soccer request that all member organizations ensure they know what health unit they are part of. Click here to find your Public Health Unit.

Member organizations are encouraged to stay in contact with their local Public Health Unit and Municipality in the event these regions have implemented additional restrictions that may impact their soccer operations.

(UPDATE: The Government of Ontario announced that as of November 20, 2020, it will move Toronto and Peel into Lockdown and 12  other Ontario Public Health Units into new categories in the COVID-19 response framework, which is designed to keep Ontario operating safely and to better manage the impact of the global pandemic.

At this time, Ontario Soccer is reviewing the updated restrictions with the Government Health and Sport authorities. In an effort to provide clear direction to membership on what is permitted for our sport organizations in the ‘Lockdown’ category as well as the new restrictions that have been placed on the other zones.

We will update membership, including any required changes to our Return to Play Guide once we have the confirmed information from the proper authorities.)

The following are the new designations and the corresponding Public Health Units. 

Lockdown:

  • Peel Regional Health Unit (NEW)
  • Toronto Public Health Unit (NEW)

Red-Control:

  • Durham Region Health Department (NEW)
  • Halton Region Public Health
  • City of Hamilton Public Health Services
  • Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services (NEW)
  • York Region Public Health

Orange-Restrict:

  • Brant County Health Unit;
  • Huron Perth Public Health (NEW)
  • Niagara Region Public Health;
  • Ottawa Public Health
  • Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (NEW)
  • Southwestern Public Health (NEW)
  • Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health
  • Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (NEW)

Yellow-Protect:

  • Chatham-Kent Public Health (NEW)
  • Eastern Ontario Health Unit (NEW)
  • Grey Bruce Health Unit (NEW)
  • Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit;
  • Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health (NEW)
  • Middlesex-London Health Unit;
  • Peterborough Public Health (NEW)
  • Public Health Sudbury & Districts;
  • Thunder Bay District Health Unit (NEW)

Green-Prevent:

  • Algoma Public Health;
  • Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit;
  • Hastings Prince Edward Public Health;
  • Lambton Public Health;
  • Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit;
  • North Bay Parry Sound District;
  • Northwestern Health Unit;
  • Porcupine Health Unit;
  • Renfrew County and District Health Unit;
  • Timiskaming Health Unit

Additionally, the Government of Ontario has created a centralized data resource where members of Ontario Soccer can track the cases and spread in their region.

How do I stay connected to Ontario Soccer?

For further information please refer to the latest bulletins on 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.