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 that, as of November 23, 2020, it will move the Toronto and Peel Public Health Units into the “Lockdown” or “Grey 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.

Ontario Soccer has reviewed the latest changes with the Government Health and Sport authorities and made the following updates to the Return to Play Guide:

• Placement of the “Lockdown” or “Grey Zone” under Phase 1 of Return to Play. There are greater restrictions in place for this Zone. No Indoor Soccer facility training is allowed for regions in “Lockdown” or “Grey Zone” but individualized training is still permitted at Outdoor facilities.  (Page #7).  
• Inclusion of all restrictions listed under “Grey Zone” in the Return to Play Phases and Zones. (Page  8).
• Amended items under the “Red Zone” (Page #9).
• Included a decision making tree for organizations to understand the steps to follow in managing the COVID-19 pandemic in your soccer organization (Page #6).

Ontario Soccer will continue to update membership, including any required changes to our Return to Play Guide, when additional changes are mandated by the Government of Ontario.

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 has updated the Reference Guide (Zones) Overview to assist the membership in understanding these changes.

(UPDATE)

The following are the zone designations and the corresponding Public Health Units, which are effective Monday, December 14, 2020 at 12:01 a.m

Lockdown:

• Peel Regional Health Unit
• Toronto Public Health Unit
• York Region Public Health (NEW)
• Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (NEW)

Red-Control:

• Durham Region Health Department
• Halton Region Public Health
• City of Hamilton Public Health Services
• Middlesex-London Health Unit (NEW)
• Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services
• Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (NEW)
• Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (NEW)

Orange-Restrict:

• Brant County Health Unit;
• Eastern Ontario Health Unit (NEW)
• Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit
• Huron Perth Public Health
• Niagara Region Public Health;
• Ottawa Public Health
• Southwestern Public Health
• Thunder Bay District Health Unit

Yellow-Protect:

• Chatham-Kent Public Health
• Grey Bruce Health Unit
• Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit
• Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
• Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health
• Lambton Public Health
• Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit (NEW)
• Northwestern Health Unit
• Peterborough Public Health
• Public Health Sudbury & Districts;

Green-Prevent:

• Algoma Public Health;
• North Bay Parry Sound District;
• 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 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.