As a condition of participating in RHRA ringette activities, the RHRA COVID-19 vaccination policy has been updated to factor the approval and availability of vaccines for players born after 2009. In addition, the updated policy requires all persons to present proof of vaccination or proof of medical exemption in the form of a QR code issued by the Province of Ontario. The updated requirements are as follows:
The policy applies to the following participants:
Prior to participation in their first 2022 activity, persons born 2009 or earlier must present their QR vaccination confirmation to their team safety representative.
Person born from 2010 through 2016 must present their QR vaccination confirmation for first dose to their designated safety representative by January 22, 2022. Second dose QR confirmations must be presented by Feb 19, 2022.
RHRA will comply with the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and provide accommodation up to the point of undue hardship to any person who has an approved medical exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination, providing proof of exemption if submitted to the RHRA in the form of a QR code issued by the Province of Ontario.
Any person who has not complied with the above requirements will no longer be eligible to participate in any RHRA activities until such time that they present satisfactory evidence that they are fully vaccinated or have an approved medical exemption.
This policy currently does not apply to spectators.
The health and safety of all participants is the guiding principle for this policy. The purpose of this policy is to protect health and safety of all participants by reducing the risk of exposure and transmission of COVID-19.
There are significant risk factors for COVID-19 when participating in organized sports, in particular an indoor ice rink setting where players are unmasked and engaging in active play. These risk factors include close contact in predominantly indoor closed space environments (ice surface, benches, dressing rooms, etc.).
All persons will be required to maintain full vaccination status, as defined by the Ontario Ministry of Health, and must present evidence to the RHRA upon each revision to the definition of full vaccination status.
Note: As per Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and Public Health messaging, the RHRA strongly encourages all coaches, staff and players to get booster doses once they are available to each individual (e.g. 3 months after 2nd dose for those 18 years of age or older) or as directed by your medical health professional.
RHRA will comply with the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and provide accommodation up to the point of undue hardship to any person who is unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons approved by the Province of Ontario.
RHRA reserves the right to have medical documentation reviewed by applicable medical specialists and make appropriate inquiries to verify the authenticity of same.
Any person who is granted this accommodation must undergo regular COVID-19 testing and confirmation to the RHRA, of a negative Antigen test taken not more than 12 hours prior to each RHRA activity (practices, games, dryland, etc.). Confirmation of a negative PCR test taken not more than 24 hours prior to activity will also be accepted. Testing is at the affected persons’ own expense.
Further, any player with a valid medical exemption to Covid-19 vaccination may only play with one RHRA team/cohort of players and will not be able to assist or play with other teams/age groups.
RHRA will only accept QR code proof of vaccination or proof of medical exemption, issued from the Province of Ontario. No other form of documentation will be accepted. The RHRA reserves the right to review such documentation at any time upon request.
Should the RHRA become aware of the falsification of documentation or testing results, the person will be immediately suspended and ineligible to join RHRA organized activities for the remainder of the applicable season.
The RHRA will avoid collecting vaccination records and documentation where possible to protect the person information of the participants. Should there be any reason to collect documentation pertaining to COVID-19 vaccinations and medical accommodations, it will only be collected, used, retained by the RHRA as may be necessary for legitimate operational purposes or as directed or required by governmental authorities or as may be required for legal reasons.
Until these records are no longer required, records must be held in a secure location. Once a person’s vaccination or exemption status has been verified by the RHRA and is determined that there is no need for retention, they must be immediately destroyed.
Until all players on a team or training group within this cohort complete their full vaccination, all players on that team or training group will be required to wear a mask at all times in the facility, including during on-ice practice activities. Masks will be optional during game play for individual players, 14 days after completion of their full vaccination.
Further, any player/coach who assists with this group of players must also wear a mask at all times during on-ice activity as well as on the bench.
RHRA may amend this policy from time to time, based on updated provisions and recommendations/regulations by the York Region Public Health Unit, Ontario Government, City of Richmond Hill, Ringette Ontario, or changes to the state of the pandemic and risk levels for the participants.