UPDATE – COVID-19/Vax Pass – Information Bulletin #2

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.