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New Arena Policies
Good JLMHA families,
The Niagara Region has issued a new set of mandates for arenas. Below details all the changes starting this Friday Dec 10. Please note that due to new capacity limits for the dressing rooms NO PARENTS WILL BE ALLOWED ACCESS TO THE DRESSING ROOMS! Additional seating has been set up outside the dressing rooms for the purposes of tying skates. It is highly recommended that players come partially or fully dressed as access to the arena is now restricted to 15 minutes before the game/practice.
JLMHA
On Thursday December 2, 2021, Niagara Region’s Chief Medical Officer of Health issued a Letter of Instruction outlining additional requirements for indoor sports and recreational facilities. The letter of instruction was issued under Section 2, Schedule 1 of Ontario Regulation 364/20 under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act. It creates legally binding requirements for anyone that operates indoor facilities within Niagara that are used for sports, athletic and recreational fitness activities. Niagara now joins 26 other local public health agencies in Ontario who have already issued a similar Letter of Instruction. The instructions being issued require the following of the Town’s facilities:
Controlling the capacity in the highest risk areas within these facilities (e.g. change/dressing rooms) to facilitate physical distance and reduce the spread of infection.
Closing exceptions and loopholes in the current proof of vaccination requirement to use indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities. Operators are now instructed that all persons age 12 and older must show proof of vaccination to enter these facilities, unless a person has a valid medical exemption.
Requiring a vaccination policy for employees of these facilities. Given vaccine-eligible patrons must be vaccinated to protect each other and the staff of the facilities, staff should provide the same protection back to patrons.
There are no limitations on the actual sports or recreation activities that may take place within these facilities, nor how many may participate in them, nor the frequency of activities.
What this means for hockey...Effective December 10, 2021: Dressing rooms: capacity limits in dressing rooms will be posted in both arenas and must be maintained by users at all times. Additional seating will be set up (where possible) outside of change rooms to facilitate tying of skates.
Fleming Centre total capacity per change room is 12 persons.
Jordan Lions Arena total capacity per change room is 10 persons.
As space is limited, players, coaches, referees etc. are encouraged to enter/leave the facility fully or partially dressed to minimize time spent in the dressing rooms. Access to dressing rooms may be limited or unavailable based on the schedule. Public Health does not recommend showering in the dressing rooms at this time.
Facility Access: all user groups will be permitted access to the facility 15 minutes prior to the start of their rental and must promptly vacate the facility within 15 minutes of the completion of the rental.
Active screening of all persons will remain in effect along with proof of vaccination for all those not actively participating in sport over the individuals ages 12 and up. Consistent with the Niagara Region Face Covering By-law wearing of a facial covering will remain in effect in all areas of the facility including dressing rooms.
Effective December 25, 2021: Proof of Vaccination Requirement: proof of vaccination or documented medical exemption accompanied by proper identification will be required for all facility users aged 12 and up, regardless or purpose of visit. Proof of vaccination is not required if attending the facility as part of an organization that requires and has verified full vaccination status or valid medical exemption for all participants, coaches, officials, or volunteers 12 years or older. This article has been viewed 471 times.