COVID-19 & Return to Play
CPHO - COVID-19 Update
March 1, 2022
Prince Edward Island is moving forward with a step-by-step plan to ease public health measures over the coming weeks and months as we transition out of a public health state of emergency and learn to live with COVID-19.
The plan can be found here -Moving on Plan
Highlights for Sport and Recreation
- Organized sport and recreation activities with interaction within 2m/6ft (including games and interprovincial competition) permitted with a maximum of 50 participants interacting over the course of a day, including
- arts and culture performers
- games and practices
- dance classes
- cards
- Spectators at sport and recreation events follow organized gathering guidance
- Individual fitness classes up to 50% capacity; organizers required to maximize use of space to allow for as much distancing as possible
- No restrictions for travel off-Island for sport and recreation
- Day camps permitted following school cohort numbers
- Additional guidance on public health measures here
- Additional guidance for sport and recreation activities can be found here
Step 2 – est. 17 March
- Organized sport and recreation activities with interaction within 2m/6ft (including games and interprovincial competition) permitted with a maximum of 100 participants interacting over the course of a day, including
- arts and culture performers
- games and practices
- dance class and other group classes with consistent members
- cards
- Spectators at sport and recreation events follow organized gathering guidance
- Individual fitness classes up to 75% capacity; organizers required to maximize use of space to allow for as much distancing as possible
- Day camps permitted following school cohort numbers
Step 3 – est. 7 April
- No anticipated capacity or gathering limits
CPHO - COVID-19 Update
February 25, 2022
There are a few updates from the CPHO.
Guidance for Sport and Recreation:
Activities that involve interactions within 6 ft – These are activities where participants get into each other’s space and it isn’t possible to physically distance. Examples include hockey, basketball, soccer, some card/board games, some dance groups, some theatre groups, etc. Individuals and team sports can have competitions so long as the total number of participants interacting is less than 50 per day
Activities that involve no interactions – These are activities where you can do the entire activity and are not required to interact with other participants within 6 ft. These activities must follow 50% capacity limits (of standard operating capacity) and organizers are required to maximize use of space to allow for as much distancing as possible.
Venues can allow up to 50% of their capacity for spectators to watch the event. This means if you have space for 300 spectators, 150 are allowed to enter the facility to watch the event.
Masking is still required.
PEI Vax Pass Program
As of February 28, 2022, PEI will no longer require proof of vaccination to enter the province or access business, organizations and events under the PEI Vax Pass Program.
Close Contacts – New Guidance
https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-and-wellness/covid-19-close-contacts
If you are contacted and advised you are a close contact, you are required to follow the measures outlined below.
During the infectious period* of someone with COVID-19, a close contact is someone:
- they had face to face interaction with indoors or outdoors for at least 15 minutes, including 15 minutes in total over a 24 hour period, or
- they were within 2 meters (6 feet) indoors for at least 15 minutes, including 15 minutes in total over a 24 hour period, or
- they were hugging, kissing, coughing or sneezing near, or
- who provided care to them at home.
If the person who tested positive wore an appropriate well-fitting mask properly for the duration of the interaction, this wouldn’t be considered a close contact situation. An appropriate mask could be a three layer non-medical mask (that includes a filter layer), a medical mask, or a respirator.
New Categories of Close Contacts
There will be two types of close contacts:
- Household close contacts
- Non-household close contacts
A non-household contact is an individual who meets the definition of close contacts (face to face, unmasked contact with a positive case for at least 15 minutes) and may include classmates, bus mates, team mates, work colleagues, or those you had lunch with. Non-household close contacts, regardless of vaccination status, are required to follow enhanced measures for 96 hours after their last exposure to a positive case.
Measures for non-household close contacts
- Not required to isolate
- For 4 days, follow enhanced measures:
- Wear a properly fitted, three-layer cloth mask or medical mask outside your home (and as much as possible during physical/recreational activities)
- Work from home as much as possible.
- When at work, practice physical distancing including while eating or drinking.
- Be tested on day 4 at a testing clinic.
- For 10 days since your last contact with the positive case,
- Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 10 days
- If symptoms develop, immediately isolate and get tested.
- Do not visit high-risk settings or individuals (settings such as long-term care, community care and other congregate living facilities, childcare facilities, and individuals who may be at risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes). This 10 day restriction does NOT apply to:
- staff who wear well-fitting masks and following appropriate COVID-19 protocols, and
- children attending childcare facilities.
- Household members (who are not identified as close contacts) are not required to take any additional steps, they should continue to follow standard public health measures including monitoring for symptoms and getting tested at a testing clinic if symptoms develop.
CPHO - COVID-19 Update
February 8, 2022
The Chief Public Health Office announced the easing of public health measures effective, February 17.
- Individuals and team sports can begin competition so long as the total number of participants is less than 50 per day.
- Individuals and teams are able to participate in interprovincial games and events.
- No big tournaments are allowed (that would see more than 50 participants involved in a day)
- Masking is still required as participants enter/exit facilities, move about within them and in the change rooms.
- Participants 19 years and older must follow the Vaxpass requirements of showing proof of vaccination for entrance.
- If activity is mixed with some participants 19 years of age and older and some 19 years of age and younger, all participants are required to show proof of vaccination.
Spectators
- Venues can allow up to 50% of their capacity for spectators to watch the event. This means if you have seats for 300 spectators, 150 are allowed to enter the facility to watch the event.
- Spectators should physical distance as best they can within the facility space.
- There is no requirement for any spectators to cohort based on which team they are supporting.
- All spectators must wear masks throughout the duration of the activity and while moving about inside the facility.
- All spectators must meet the Vaxpass requirements:
- Spectators 19 and older must show proof of vaccine and valid ID
- Spectators 12 to 18 just need to show proof of vaccine
CPHO - COVID-19 Update
January 4, 2022
The CPHO announced that the current restrictions for sport and recreation that were announced on December 17, 2021 will continue until at least January 17, 2022.
Updated temporary measures info has been posted here: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/temporary-covid-19-measures.
The following bullets are relevant to sport, recreation and fitness:
- Group and team-based organized recreational activities suspended, including:
- All organized sports, tournaments, competitions and games
- Team skills training and practices
- Group classes (e.g. gymnastics, dance, etc.) where distancing can’t be maintained
- Individual recreational activities permitted, including:
- Personal fitness (individual activities at a gym, pool, or fitness facility)
- One-on-one fitness classes (personal training)
- One-on-one classes (music, dance, etc.)
- Strict physical distancing at individual recreational activities required
To clarify, the restrictions on group activities apply to all ages.
CPHO - COVID-19 Update
December 3, 2021
Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, has announced new precautionary and temporary measures in response to the Omicron variant of concern.
There is one new measure that applies specifically to sport. Effective Friday, December 3 at 8:00 am until early January the following measure will be in place:
Similar to Nova Scotia, children under the age of 12 years will be unable to travel interprovincially for the purpose of participating in sports tournaments or arts and culture events. PEI cannot host interprovincial tournaments and arts and culture events for children under 12 years of age. Provincial tournaments (within PEI) and arts and culture activities are permitted, as are provincial and interprovincial sports tournaments for those 12 years of age and older. PEI children under the age of 12 years can attend out of province tournaments and arts and culture events as spectators but they may not participate in those events.
CPHO - COVID-19 Update
December 17, 2021
Updated temporary measures info has been posted here: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/temporary-covid-19-measures.
The following bullets are relevant to sport, recreation and fitness:
- Group and team-based organized recreational activities suspended, including:
- All organized sports, tournaments, competitions and games
- Team skills training and practices
- Group classes (e.g. gymnastics, dance, etc.) where distancing can’t be maintained
- Individual recreational activities permitted, including:
- Personal fitness (individual activities at a gym, pool, or fitness facility)
- One-on-one fitness classes (personal training)
- One-on-one classes (music, dance, etc.)
- Strict physical distancing at individual recreational activities required
To clarify, the restrictions on group activities apply to all ages.
PEI Vax Pass Information for the Sport and Recreation Sector
Information Bulletin #3 – November 4, 2021
Thanks for everyone’s work thus far in the implementation of the Vaxpass program in the sport and recreation sector. This is the third (and maybe final) bulletin on the Vaxpass for the sector. Although the majority of questions have been answered, there were still a few questions coming in that we believed should be answered in a consistent way.
Arena Entrance and Exit Timing
Earlier this week the CPHO removed the spectator cohort limit and so now facilities can allow up to their full capacity so long as those 12 years and older have shown their proof of vaccination. There have been some questions from facilities around the logistics of this protocol change particularly around the entrance and exit timing.
Theoretically, this change would allow spectators to come and leave as they please, however practically this likely isn’t possible due to the way the Vaxpass is being administered in many sport/rec facilities. In cases where the facility is asking the user groups to check the Vaxpass, it is highly recommended that everyone continue to follow the entrance and exit timing of:
- Players arrival 30 minutes prior to the ice time
- Spectators arrival 10 minutes prior to the ice time once the other group is finished
- Spectators depart at the end of the activity
The consistent application of protocols across facilities seems to be one of the keys for the smooth administration of any of these policy decisions.
In cases where facilities have hired staff to manage the Vaxpass or for major ticketed events, the facility can determine their own entrance/exit policies so long as they are meeting the protocols of the Vax Pass program.
Safe Sport & Younger Participants
There are children enrolled in sport and recreation programs where their parents and/or guardian does not meet the proof of vaccination requirement for admission to the facility. For some of these families, this causes some concern because they aren’t always comfortable allowing their child to enter a facility, get prepared for their activity, participate in the activity and then depart afterwards without parental support. In these cases, it may require a little additional work on the family or the group leading the organization to develop a system where the participant is supported.
We absolutely want this child participating in sport and recreation, but the parent/guardian is not to be permitted to access the facility if they do not meet the proof of vaccination requirement. This is where some additional efforts may be required:
- The family in question can reach out to another family in the program and ask them to support their child.
- The coach, program leader or program volunteers develop a system to support this child making sure the leaders are always following safe sport procedures including the rule of two.
Working in partnership with the family and facility is the best way to go in terms of supporting the child’s interest in participating in the activity.
Younger Aged Sport Programs
Parents and designated volunteers can assist young participants to tie skates etc. without impacting the maximum number of people within a participant cohort (which is 100 for sports). The parents and volunteers must display proof of vaccination to access the facility and then once their child is ready, they can move to the spectator section of the facility.
Can we use Spectator Spaces around the Boards and Glass at Arena’s?
This varies from facility to facility but if we go back to the basic rules of not wanting the participant cohort and spectator cohort mixing for any period of time (other than fleeting) then you need to determine if this is possible in your facility. If the players and coaches of the participant cohort generally stand in a particular area to get to their change room or in preparation for their ice time, then this location shouldn’t be used for spectators standing along the boards. If there is no concern of the participant and spectator cohort mixing, then spectators can stand along the boards.
What do we do for outdoor events with no single access point?
If you are hosting an outdoor sport and recreation event where the facility is gated, and admission can be controlled then there is a requirement to check for proof of vaccination upon entry. Examples of these types of facilities include the turf field in Summerside at Eric Johnson field and the UPEI soccer field. If the facility doesn’t have a single access point but has a large set of bleachers where fans are congregating together in that space, then proof of vaccination is required to access that space. Examples include many ball fields in many communities. If the facility is an open space where spectators can arrive in any number of directions and times and there is ample space for the spectators to sit physically distanced and it isn’t a large event, then there isn’t a requirement to check proof of vaccination. Examples of this would include some ball fields, soccer fields, field‐based programs like run‐jump‐throw. Please note that participant regulations for Vaxpass are still in effect (18 and under exempt, coaches and program leaders are required to provide proof of vaccination).
What do we do if someone is not obeying the Proof of Vaccination Requirements?
Any organization responsible for checking the proof of vaccination for Vaxpass events has a duty to make sure the spectators (12 years and older) are showing their documentation and ID (19 yrs and older only for ID). If there is a spectator who arrives and wants to enter without the proper documentation, they are to be advised that they aren’t allowed to enter. In the ideal situation they will respect the rules, understand the person at the door isn’t the one setting them and leave the facility.
If they refuse to provide proof‐of‐vaccination and become aggressive or insist on entering, the person working the door should avoid escalating the situation. Advise them they aren’t allowed to enter but don’t turn it into a confrontation. The process at this point is to complete the attached (Vaxpass Non‐Compliance Form for Sport and Recreation) and include as much information as possible. Take a photo of the completed form and send the information to vaxpass@gov.pe.ca and someone from enforcement will follow up with the person in question. The documentation and submission of the information for a non‐compliant person is a very important part of the Vaxpass program and is a requirement of the group responsible for working at the door.
PEI Vax Pass Information for the Sport and Recreation Sector
Information Bulletin #2 – October 7, 2021
Since the launch of the program on Oct 5, Sport PEI, Recreation PEI, the CPHO and the Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Division have been fielding questions related to the program. We have worked with the CPHO to get answers to these questions. Attached is the “Sport and Recreation Sector Bulletin #2” on the VaxPass which provides additional information on the program. We believe this will provide greater clarity on some of the requirements.
The lessons learned through the development of operational plans last season was that consistency and cooperation were the key to having a full and successful sport season. All groups and facilities need to be consistent in interpreting the guidance so the experience is similar for all patrons and players from facility to facility and that facility operators and minor sport user groups work together to make this happen.
We will continue to synthesize all the information from the CPHO with a sport and recreation lens. Ultimately the Public Health Order and public health measures guidance information is the guiding documents for the Vaxpass which can be found on the provincial government website.
VaxPass Events
All organized sport and recreation activities are Vaxpass events. Even though participants 18 years of age and under are considered exempt from showing their Vaxpass these are still considered Vax Pass Events. This includes training sessions, practices and games.
There is no requirement to contact trace for any Vaxpass event (participants or spectators)
Public Health Guidance for VaxPass Events
- Cohorts must be formed of participants of up to 200 people indoors and 400 people outdoors
- There is no limit on the number of cohorts*
- Physical distancing is not required within the cohort
- Physical distancing must be observed between cohorts. Ice cohort can’t mix with spectator cohort,
- there should be a 2M/6Ft distance between cohorts. This is also true for any type of line up
- (entry/exit, washrooms).
- Non‐Medical masks are required to be worn while at indoor events. The spectators the entire time
- they are in the facility, participants when they are moving through public areas and in change
- They can be removed once they go to begin their activity. Non‐medical masks are not
- required at outdoor activities.
*All arenas and facilities would have submitted an operational plan last year. The majority of them would have had three cohorts approved (1 on‐ice cohort, 1 next to go on‐ice cohort and 1 spectator cohort). Under the Vaxpass setup, you can continue to have those three cohorts with the spectator cohort now allowing you to have up to 200 spectators so long as you have space for 200 in your facility.
If you wanted to add more than 200 spectators you would be required to submit a new operational plan to envhealth@ihis.org indicating your plan for keeping the additional cohorts separated.
VaxPass Sport and Recreation Roles
- Participant/Athlete, proof of vaccination required (those 18 years and under exempt)
- If the group includes athletes has a combination of 18 and under and 19 and over all participants must show proof of vaccination
- Coaches/program leaders, proof of vaccination required
- Volunteers & Support Roles (including minor officials), proof of vaccination required
- Referees and Officials, considered an employee, proof of vaccination not required unless stated by
- their sport organization or the facility
- Spectators, proof of vaccination required for those 12 and older (3‐month grace period as of their date of birth for spectators who just turn 12 years old). Under 12 are exempt.
VaxPass Timing for Arenas/Programs
- The timing of arrivals and departures should follow the same as the operational plans from last year.
- On‐Ice cohort, arrive 30 minutes prior to the ice time and depart within 15 minutes afterwards
- Spectator cohort, enter the facility about 5‐10 minutes before the start time (once the spectators at the ice before your activity has vacated the facility)
Maintaining a Vaxpass List
Section 23(b) of the Public Health Act states:
with the written consent of a patron, a business, service or organization may keep a record of the fact only (not the proof of COVID‐19 vaccination or proof of medical exemption) that a patron has provided proof of COVID‐19 vaccination or proof of medical exemption to satisfy the requirements of this Order, in relation to a patron who frequently accesses the business, service or organization. For greater certainty, a business service or organization may only keep a record of the fact recorded under this clause until this Order expires or the sections of this Order requ1nng businesses, services or organizations to require proof of vaccination or proof of medical exemption are revoked
This part of the order indicates that an organization, where there is a frequent relationship between a patron (spectator) and the organization (a team), there can be a system in place where the patron provides proof of vaccination that is verified and signed by both the patron and the verifier. This can be kept on file and used during subsequent visits (ie. Future practices and games). The organization is not allowed to keep a record of the proof of vaccination only that it has been presented, observed and verified.
This means a sport team can keep a list of consistent spectators (parents, grandparents, etc.) and have those spectators sign a form indicating the proof of vaccination has been presented, checked and confirmed. If a team or organization believes this will assist in making the position of Vaxpass checker easier/quicker, it can be a strategy that can be used. It doesn’t have to be used, but it is an option.
This document/form would then be placed in a binder and the binder would be on site each time Team ABCDE was using the facility. As spectators entered, they would only be required to indicate who they are (with ID if required) and the Vaxpass checker just needs to confirm they have already showed proof of vaccination and it has been verified. For those attending for the first time or haven’t signed and consented for the organization to keep record of their vaccination status, they would be required to show their vaccination status each time they attend.
All spectators should continue to bring their proof of vaccination to their activities on the chance that the signed consent form isn’t on site.
UPDATE from CPHO - October 4, 2021
The PEI Vax Pass program is set to come into effect at the start of the day on Tuesday October 5. Any organized sport and recreational activity are part of the Vax Pass program and as such proof of vaccination is required for all participants (a participant is defined as an individual player). Participants 18 years of age and under participating in activities that involve participants who are all 18 years of age and under are exempt from showing vaccinations. If the group has a combination of participants 18 years and under and 19 years and over, all participants are required to show their vaccine status.
Please note that all volunteers involved in an activity (regardless of age) are required to show proof of vaccination. This includes coaches, managers, program leaders, and support personnel (trainers).
Employees of businesses and organizations that offer these programs are not required to show proof of vaccination. Businesses and organizations can implement their own vaccination policies so long as they comply with the laws of PEI.
Major officials (referees) and minor officials (clock operators, game sheet workers) can either be classified as volunteers or employees depending on the nature of their involvement.
All spectators 12 years and above are required to show proof of vaccination to enter as a spectator.
Children under the age of 12 are exempt from needing to provide a proof of vaccination. Children who are soon turning 12 have a three-month grace period from their birthday to get fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination should it be required (e.g. Should they be in volunteer roles or mixed groups that include participants 19 and over).
Where proof of vaccination is required, the following public health measures must be followed:
- Enhanced cleaning and disinfection routine (for facilities)
- Ensure hand washing and/or hand sanitizing stations are available and accessible
- For organized cohorts, you can have up to 200 people indoors and 400 people outdoors. During short periods of interaction at entry/exit points, washrooms and concessions, physical distancing should be maintained.
- If dealing with multiple cohorts, an operational plan is required
- Non-medical masks are required for all indoor activities
- There is no need to continue contract tracing (where proof of vaccination is required).
Please note: Sport organizations can enhance the Vax Pass requirements for their sport if they wish but they must adhere to the basics of the program as described above. For example, a sport can say that all their members 12 years and older must be fully vaccinated but cannot say they will not be checking vaccine status of their spectators.
Links to information:
Get your record of vaccination
Details on the QR-Code Vaxx Pass will be provided as soon as possible. The projected launch is October 15, 2021.
UPDATE From CPHO - September 22, 2021
Teams travelling off-Island or to PEI for sports tournaments and competitions
Interprovincial travel is higher risk, however, borders between the Atlantic Provinces remain open at this time. The decision to travel for interprovincial tournaments and competitions is at the discretion of individual sport associations. If travelling, the following testing precautions are recommended:
- All PEI participants and travellers in a tournament/competition who are not fully vaccinated should have a negative test prior to leaving PEI
- All NB, NS, and NL participants and travellers coming to PEI and who are not fully vaccinated should be tested upon arrival in PEI
- All PEI, NB, NS, and NL participants and travellers age 12 and older who are unvaccinated (not partially or fully vaccinated) will have to isolate for 8 days upon arrival in PEI (as per normal travel measures)
- All PEI participants and travellers age 12 and older who are partially or fully vaccinated should get tested when they arrive back in PEI before going to school, and again on days 4 and 8
- All PEI participants and travellers age 11 or under should get tested when they arrive back in PEI before going to school, and again on days 4 and 8
Testing is available at drop-in clinics in Charlottetown, Summerside, Borden, Montague, and O’Leary. Individuals can request rapid tests at these sites if desired (for example if they have to get a test before leaving for a tournament and need a rapid response). More information on testing is available here: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-and-wellness/covid-19-testing-in-pei
Travel information for the other Atlantic provinces:
New Brunswick:
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/corporate/promo/covid-19/travel.html
Nova Scotia:
https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/travel/
Newfoundland and Labrador
https://www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/travel/travel-restrictions/
Key Operational Guidelines
Manage your risks/controls
Masks
Effective 8:00 am on Friday, September 17;
- Non-medical masks will be mandatory for all Islanders in indoor places;
- Exemptions to mandatory masks include, but are not limited to: children under the age of two years; children under the age of five years who will not wear a mask; valid medical reasons (such as active breathing problems); and anyone who cannot remove a mask without assistance.
Tournaments
Tournaments and similar events are permitted where the total number of people mixing does not exceed the organized gathering limits. https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-and-wellness/public-health-measures-guidance
Pre approval of the operational plan would be required should the total number of people involved exceed gathering limits. Expect reviews of operational plans to take 5-10 business days. All of our other guidance still applies, e.g. physical distancing etc.
Spectator guidance has been updated/clarified:
Available to Organizations are various documents to support your activities, please contact Sport PEI for details: