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 announced today that, as of November 23, 2020, it will move the Toronto and Peel Public Health Units into the “Lockdown” zone and 12 other regions into new zones under the new Government of Ontario Framework, which is designed to keep Ontario operating safely and to better manage the increasing 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 zone 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

The Government of Ontario Public Health Authorities have stated that those organizations, which are in Lockdown zones, should not travel to other zones to participate in Return to Play activities. The Government of Ontario has indicated that the local Public Health Units are being empowered for greater enforcement of these changes.   

Ontario Soccer recently completed work with the relevant Government Health and Sport authorities to update our Return to Play Guide and Plan to reflect the new government framework clearly within our Return to Play three-phase approach.

Organizations are reminded 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 as well as the ‘Lockdown’ zone. 

Ontario Soccer requests that all member organizations ensure they know which Public Health Unit they are located in. 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 organizations have implemented additional restrictions that may impact their soccer operations.

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.