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Government of Ontario announces eight regions moving to new levels

By Staff, 03/19/21, 12:00PM EDT

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Based on the latest data, the following public health regions will move from their current level in the Framework to the following levels effective Monday, March 22, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.:

Play. Inspire. Unite. 

Ontario Soccer continues to work in consultation with Canada Soccer and the Government of Ontario, as we prepare for Return to Play 2021. Ontario Soccer will keep the membership updated with the most recent developments surrounding Ontario Soccer’s Return to Play Plan.

The Government of Ontario announced today that it is moving eight Public Health Units to new levels, in the colour-coded framework as they phase-in a return to the Public Health Restrictions for the remaining Public Health Units and their respective colour-coded zones.  

Based on the latest data, the following public health regions will move from their current level in the Framework to the following levels effective Monday, March 22, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.:

Red-Control

  • Brant County Health Unit;
  • Chatham-Kent Public Health; and
  • Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit.

Orange-Restrict

  • Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.

Yellow-Protect

  • Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health;
  • North Bay Parry Sound District;
  • Porcupine Health Unit; and
  • Timiskaming Health Unit.

As a reminder, in the Public Health Units that are permitted, only Phase 1; Individualized Training (Red), or Phase 2: Group Training and Modified Games (Orange, Yellow, Green) are allowed at this time.

Organizations that are in Grey-Lockdown, unless otherwise stated by their local Public Health Units, are only permitted to participate in online activities. 

Organizations can follow the Ontario Soccer Decision Making Tree to determine their Public Health Unit, which colour-coded zone their Public Health Unit falls under and then review the Return to Play Guide to understand which activities are permitted in your Public Health Unit.

Ontario Soccer is preparing for the Outdoor Season 2021, in whatever form that Government Public Health protocols will allow, and is encouraging the membership to begin their own Return to Play preparations.

The recent Return to Play survey, conducted by Ontario Soccer, showed that a level of excitement is returning to the game, as 76% of parents stated they plan to register their children to play Outdoor soccer in 2021. In the Spring of 2020, only 30% of parents expressed confidence they would register their children to play Outdoor in 2020.

For those organizations that completed the Return to Play requirements in 2020, you are not required to complete the Canada Soccer Risk Assessment Tool again.  

Organizations should review the updated Return to Play Guide and ensure your Return to Play plan is in alignment with the most current edition of the guide on the Ontario Soccer website.

Organizations are reminded, that to take advantage of the Supporting Ontario's Recovery Act, 2020, which provides liability protection for workers, volunteers and organizations that make an honest effort to follow public health guidelines and protocols relating to exposure to COVID-19, all participants must be registered in OSCAR, Ontario Soccer’s official Club and Academy Registry. 

Registration is a mandatory requirement and ensures all participants have Accident and Liability Insurance coverage, as well as protection under the Supporting Ontario’s Recovery Act.

For organizations that did not complete the requirements for Return to Play in 2020, you are now required to do so, prior to engaging in Return to Play activities in 2021.

Please follow the steps below to prepare for Return to Play 2021.

1. All affiliated Clubs and Academies must read and understand Ontario Soccer’s Return to Play Guide (the plan) – Protocols and Recommendations document.

2. All affiliated Clubs and Academies must prepare their own Return to Play Plans for use within their membership. Use of Ontario Soccer’s Return to Play Guide (the plan) is encouraged.

3. All affiliated Clubs and Academies must complete Canada Soccer’s Risk Assessment Tool. Please do not complete this tool until you have completed step 2 above. Please ensure only one person from your Club or Academy completes the online assessment. Do not forward or share the online link tool with others.

The Canada Soccer Online Risk Assessment Tool can be found here.

If you have any issues with the link provided please contact Patty Forbes, Director, Administration.

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 further questions, please contact Patty Forbes, Director, Administration.