Updated - Ringette Alberta Sep 16, 2021 Covid Update

Sep. 16, 2021

To: All Ringette Alberta Registered Participants

From: David Myers, Executive Director

Re: Update as of Sept 16 @ 6:40 PM

I’d like to provide additional information and clarification of our communication earlier today.

Before I do that, please be aware, we are operating with the same information that is available to the public. We have received no information from Alberta Health or the Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Branch of the Ministry of Culture and Status of Women.

For Sept 16-19:
Regular / common sense precautions are in effect.

Coaches, mask at all times.
Players and officials, mask at all times except when on the ice (and when on the players bench).
Everyone else, masks at all times.
Practice physical distancing, when possible, i.e., not realistic during games, practices

For Sept 20 onward (based on what we know today):

For youth sport, to be clear, Ringette Alberta has not implemented a mandatory vaccine policy, however, proof of vaccine (or negative PCR test or medical exemption) may be requirement to enter the facilities where ringette is played. Our communication earlier today was an attempt (admittedly unclear) to give you information on what may be required to get in the door of the facility irrespective of any Ringette Alberta policy.
Adult sport is different than youth sport and that is likely to come with a proof of vaccine (or negative PCR test or medical exemption) requirement.
On September 17, information on what an organization must do to take advantage of the restriction exemption program will be released by the Province. Once we know, you'll know.

Matters for which we're seeking additional information from Alberta Health:

In youth sport, are the officials and coaches included or excluded in the requirements?
Last season, 18 year olds participating in U19 were included in youth sport. Will that continue?
If youth sport will be exempt from having to show proof of vaccine (those eligible), does that override the restrictions the Government of Alberta has put in place for access to a recreation facility? Or is it the other way around? Or something else?
Who is expected to monitor proof of vaccine if / when that applies? The facility? The user group? If the user group, notwithstanding the logistical challenge, what are we permitted to do with respect to privacy? How does this work in large multiuse facilities with people of all ages coming and going for various activities? …with many from different user groups? How does this work in the small, single sheet arena with usually only the rink attendant on site?

As you can see, there are many unanswered questions, so we thank you for your continued patience and understanding.

My apology for lack of clarity earlier this afternoon. I overlooked an editing error in the original text.