Skate Canada: Alberta-NWT/Nunavut
COVID-19 Update
Date: March 29, 2022
From: Lisa Hardy, Executive Director Skate Canada: Alberta-NWT/Nunavut
Good afternoon, Clubs / Skating Schools, Coaches and Officials:
Health restrictions continue to evolve as Federal, Provincial and Municipal jurisdictions shift or transition to an endemic approach to COVID-19. As the Skate Canada: Alberta-NWT/Nunavut Sections’ protocols and requirements are pandemic focused effective immediately all Section protocols related to COVID-19, which include the Section Phase 3 Return to Skating Protocols, Best Practices and Guidelines, and the Return to Competition V2.2 Protocols have been rescinded and are no longer in effect.
The Section will adjust our approach of continuing to support a safe environment for our participants as follows:
- All club/skating school activities must adhere to the most recent Chief Medical Officer of Health Order(s)
- All individuals, which include skaters, coaches, officials, and volunteers must follow the public health requirements as outlined by the Provincial or Territorial Government, in addition to any municipal or facility requirements
- All clubs/skating schools must follow any facility-imposed regulations or protocols that they may have in place. Facility requirements may include masking, limiting spectator seating, entry/exit requirements etc.
- Each club/skating school is responsible for assessing the risks in their particular environment and establishing the appropriate safety procedures to minimize those risks, while following the advice and instructions of public health and government authorities.
The following resources provide guidance and best practices to assist in clubs/skating schools in minimizing those risks:
- Alberta Health general guidance and public health practices that help to minimize transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections can be found here
- Skate Canada Return-to-Skating Guidelines can be found here
- It is an individual’s responsibility for assessing their personal risk in consultation with medical professionals and for the outcome of their decision or actions
- As health requirements related to the pandemic are removed individuals will have varying levels of comfort regarding distancing and masking in public spaces. All participants, including skaters, coaches, officials, volunteers, and parents are expected to consider and respect the comfort of others when attending events, competitions, and club/skating school programming.
- As per Skate Canada’ Club and Skating School Minimum Operating Standards Policy it is the club/skating school responsibility to ensure Skate Canada minimum requirements and delivery standards are being adhered to for program delivery (CanSkate, Can Power & STAR 1-5).
We will continue to monitor the situation and send out updates or changes as COVID-19 and related health orders and restrictions continue to evolve.
Isolation Requirements in Alberta
If you test positive or have symptoms not related to a pre-existing condition you are legally required to isolate as outlined below:
- Fully vaccinated (2 doses or 1 dose Janssen): Starting the first day of symptoms or positive test, isolate for a minimum of 5 days or until symptoms resolve, whichever is longer. Following isolation, wear a mask at all times when around others outside of home for up to 5 more days (10 total). This means you must eat or drink alone, away from others. Note: Fully vaccinated individuals are required to wear a mask at all times when around others outside of home for up to 5 more days following isolation (10 total). This means they are required to wear a mask while on or off the ice and during physical activity.
- Not fully vaccinated (1 dose or less): Starting the first day of symptoms or positive test, isolate for 10 days or until symptoms resolve, whichever is longer.
- If you test negative and have symptoms, you should still stay home and away from others until symptoms resolve.
Federal Travel Requirements
- Fully Vaccinated Travellers - In addition to completing and providing all pre-entry documentation required, fully vaccinated individuals returning to Canada are still required to wear a well-constructed mask and maintain a list of contacts for the 14 days after entry to Canada. This is also required for any Unvaccinated Children under the age of 12 travelling with Fully Vaccinated Travelers Note: The individual is required to wear a mask while on or off the ice and during physical activity.
- Unvaccinated Travellers – In addition to completing and providing all pre-entry documentation required, must complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine in a suitable location, such as your home
Best Practices and Guidelines
Clubs / skating schools are encouraged to continue to implement additional measures where they are feasible or in higher risk settings or to reduce the risk of transmission and reduce the risk of interruptions or cancellations in programming. Programs such as Pre-CanSkate and CanSkate where there is a lower vaccination rate among participants and require more hands-on contact between the coach and skater(s) would be considered a higher risk setting. Measures such as encouraging coaches to wear masks, distancing, frequent sanitization and minimizing frequent touch points are examples of recommended best practices.
Waivers and Risk of Assumption
It is important that Clubs/Skating Schools continue the practice of utilizing the Skate Canada Assumption of Risk and Waiver as many insurance underwriters issued a ‘contagion exclusion’ at the start of the pandemic. The Assumption of Risk and Waiver assists in limiting liability and protecting your organization from participants filing a claim should they become exposed, or infected to COVID-19, as well as possible accidents, or physical injury unrelated to COVID-19. Our understanding is that Uplifter has developed a Waiver and Risk of Assumption policy that can assist electronically managing the sign off or secured collection of waivers. For clubs that do not use Uplifter for their registration process, waivers can still be signed, collected and stored (hard copy or electronic) in a secure place that meet privacy laws and Personal Information and Protection Act (PIPA) requirements that may be applicable.
If you have any questions, please email returntoskating@skateabnwtnun.ca.
Sincerely,
Lisa Hardy
Executive Director