The local health unit is broadening the list of those needing to be fully vaccinated at sports and recreational facilities.
In addition to those already requiring full vaccination as outlined by the provincial policy, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health medical officer of health Dr. Nicola Mercer announced Thursday afternoon that "all volunteers, coaches, instructors, coordinators, trainers, officials, and organizers" will also require full vaccination.
That group is currently exempt from showing proof of full vaccination provincially. But that now changes locally.
The new policy went into effect Thursday. Individuals failing to comply potentially face a fine of $750 and corporations $1,000.
"We are now experiencing a fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and seeing a rise in cases locally and across the province. In a report published by Public Health Ontario (covering the period from December 20, 2020 to August 7, 2021), the rate of COVID-19 cases in unvaccinated individuals was consistently higher compared to fully vaccinated individuals.2 COVID-19 will continue to pose a threat in our community as long as a significant number of people remain unvaccinated," wrote Mercer in an open letter.
Provincial legislation that went into effect Wednesday required proof of vaccination for those 18 and older there to participate and those 12 and older for those there for any other reason (ie: spectators).
Facilities used for sport and recreational fitness activities include gyms, fitness/sporting/recreational facilities, dance studios, yoga studios, gymnastic centres, dojos/martial art studios, tennis clubs, pools, waterparks, and other premises where sporting events are played or watched or where recreational fitness activities or personal fitness training occurs.
