Grand Erie Protocols for Secondary Sport Competitions

As we re-engage in Secondary school athletics, please ensure the directions below are followed for the health and safety of all. 

The COVID-19 pandemic is an evolving situation. This plan will be reviewed before each game and updated if necessary due to changes in Provincial COVID protocols or under the direction of the local Public Health Unit. Refer to the Ontario government’s COVID-19 website for up-to-date information.

 

Protocols for ALL sports events (indoor and outdoor)

COVID-19 Awareness

• Individuals exhibiting COVID type symptoms shall not attend any games.  If any player is absent from school or is sent home during the school day due to any COVID related symptoms or class cohorts, they are not permitted to play that day.  Return to play will be based on the school’s/Board’s return to school policies.
• Players, coaches, volunteers and officials will be made aware of the symptoms of COVID-19 during initial practices
• Signage will be placed in conspicuous locations during games to educate all on the symptoms of COVID-19 and the precautions to take to prevent spread. This is the responsibility of the home team.

 

Screening

• All players, coaches, officials, volunteers and spectators must self-screen using the Ontario COVID-19 school screening tool prior to attending all indoor and outdoor sporting events.  Self screening shall be completed prior to leaving home. Anyone who fails the screening MUST NOT attend and should isolate immediately and follow the guidance provided in the screening tool.
• All Grand Erie Staff will complete the on line attestation form.

 

Contact Tracing

• The person responsible for event (Home School /Permit Holder) will ensure that contact tracing records are completed for all those involved.
• For participants (including all coaches and team volunteers) that contact list will be the responsibility of the team coach. Records will include the name of each player taking part, their contact number, parent name and contact email (if under 18).
• Contact tracing records (for players and coaches) will be maintained by the Home School for a period of 30 days and will be kept confidential and only submitted to the local PHU upon their request.

 

COVID-19 Case or Exposure

• Any player found to have a positive COVID-19 test and have potentially exposed other participants on that team to the virus will cause the school team to be immediately shut down.  Return to that sport will be at the direction of their school/school board.
• In the event that any coach, official, or organizer is made aware of a positive or probable COVID-19 case that may have exposed players or others they will immediately notify the school Administrators for each team. School administrators will follow their board outbreak protocol for steps in contact training notification and communication.
• The home team will make available all contact tracing records related to the exposure timeframe to the PHU handling the COVID case
   

Disinfection and Hygiene

• All COVID-19 protocols will be followed in relation to disinfection and hygiene
• Alcohol based hand rub will be available at the entry to the event for visitors/spectators
• Alcohol based hand rub will be available on the court or field for use when players go on and off court.
• Players, coaches and officials will ensure hand hygiene is performed frequently through play (entering and exiting playing field). Spectators will be encouraged to hand sanitize upon entry to seating area.
   

Masking

• Players, Coaches and Officials will follow school masking protocols for indoor and outdoor events (see below for more information)
• Spectators will be required to wear a face covering when outside on school property.
• Coaches must wear mask and eye protection unless 2 metres of distance is maintained from players and participants.
   

Physical Distancing

• Physical distancing must be encouraged
• Physical distance between players on the same team while on the bench/sidelines will be encouraged
• A minimum of 2 metres of distance will be maintained between teams on benches and the sidelines
   

Transportation

• All current transportation protocols must be followed. This can include the transportation of 2 teams at the same time (Jr/Sr).
• Masking and seating plan must be in place to be used for the purposes of contact tracing. Maintain distance as much as possible.
• Waiting teams are asked to remain outside near their bus if possible, or in the bus if weather requires shelter
• Volunteer drivers for sporting events:
  • Volunteer drivers are deemed “essential volunteers” and as such must provide proof of full immunization through the school-based process
  • All vehicle occupants must be masked
  • All staff in the vehicle must also wear eye protection, unless they are driving
  • Vehicle windows must remain open as much as possible
  • Names and contact information must be recorded for contact tracing purposes
     

Spectators

No spectators will be permitted for tournaments that take place during the school day.

Spectators will be permitted following Re-opening Ontario rules and the following protocols.

Outdoor sports spectators

• Outdoor bleachers will be closed for spectators, except for Pauline Johnson Collegiate (PJ) and North Park Collegiate (NPC) as they are operated through the City of Brantford. Bleacher use is constrained by 75 per cent capacity and physical distancing of 2 metres between spectators (except those that are of the same family unit)
• All fields operated through the City of Brantford will require a different protocol including:
  • All spectators must use the Grand Erie Sporting Events Contact Tracing process for contact tracing purposes
    • The QR code the end of this page must be prominently displayed at the entrance to the sporting area. Spectators must scan the QR code which will take them to an online Microsoft form where they will be required to enter contact information for themselves (and those in their party without a mobile device)
    • The home team will provide personnel to support the contact tracing process
  • Coaches and participants do not need to follow the same guidelines, however they must adhere to GEDSB procedures
• In the case of a facility that does not have a designated area for outdoor spectators, the number of spectators in the outdoor area of the facility at any one time must not exceed 75 per cent capacity, maintaining a 2 metre distance between everyone.
• Every outdoor spectator must wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to any of the exceptions or are seated with members of their own household only, and every member of the household is seated at least two metres from every person outside their household.
• Each school must have someone responsible for encouraging social distancing and wearing masks
• Spectators will not have access to indoor washroom facilities.

Indoor sports spectators (effective Monday, November 8, 2021)

• Spectators must:
  • have an appropriately signed and dated paper ticket issued by the school through the athletes
  • be double vaccinated
  • wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin and,
  • be seated at least two metres from every person outside their household.
• Two paper tickets will be provided to each athlete using a template provided to each school.  These will be signed and dated by the coach of each team and used for admission into the venue.
• Proof of vaccination status and government photo ID will be shown at the entrance by all spectators.

The QR code at the bottom of this page must be prominently displayed at the entrance to the sporting area. Spectators must scan the QR code which will take them to an online Microsoft form where they will be required to enter contact information for themselves (and those in their party without a mobile device).

Each school must have someone responsible for checking tickets, vaccination status and photo ID at the door, and encouraging social distancing and wearing masks. Schools may use student volunteers, staff or a security company to support this work if needed.

Participation Protocols Outdoor Sports:

• Participants to arrive no earlier than 25 minutes prior to start time to avoid congregating. No Loitering!
• Exception: When 2 teams (Jr/Sr) must share a bus for transportation to the game, both teams cannot arrive 25 minutes prior to the game.  This will be based on an individual school basis, as not all schools use bus transportation.
• All individuals must wear masks while entering and exiting the playing area. 
• Players do not need to wear masks on the sidelines or on the field during game play.
• Personal water bottles are to be used by all players. 
• Hand hygiene is to be practiced prior to, during and after participation.Hand sanitizers will be available on the court or field for use when players go on and off court.
• Coaches and other coaching staff are to ensure equipment is to be cleaned/sanitized during breaks in game play where possible (e.g. timeouts, halftime) and upon completion. (e.g. football, tennis racquets etc.)
• See below for changeroom use
   

Participation Protocols Indoor Sports

• Participants to arrive no earlier than 25 minutes prior to start time to avoid congregating. No Loitering!
• Exception: When 2 teams (Jr/Sr) must share a bus for transportation to the game, both teams cannot arrive 25 minutes prior to the game.  This will be based on an individual school basis, as not all schools use bus transportation.
• All individuals must wear masks in school buildings. 
•  Masking is encouraged for players at indoor sports where they can be worn safely based on the activity. 
• For team sports such as basketball and volleyball, masks should be worn by players on the sideline or team bench areas.
• Coaches/Volunteers must wear a mask. Eye protection is required when within 2 metres of another person not wearing a mask.
• Maintain appropriate physical distancing and directional flow to the locations/facilities that are used for games, including routes to and from the parking lot, and gym area. 
• Personal water bottles are to be used by all players.  Water filling stations should be available for athletes to refill personal water bottles.
• Hand hygiene is to be practiced prior to, during and after participation. Hand sanitizers will be available on the court for use when players go on and off court.
• Equipment is to be cleaned/sanitized during breaks in game play (e.g. timeouts, halftime) and upon completion.
   

Use of School Changerooms for indoor and outdoor sports

Note: For events occurring at other (non-school) facilities the use of changerooms will follow the rules of the permit location.

Visiting teams are encouraged to come to games prepared in game gear where possible.

• Permitted for both home and visiting teams
• Masks to be worn in changerooms 
• Maximum capacity limits to be posted and adhered to in changerooms with 2m distancing between individuals.
• Changerooms to be disinfected between different teams/games (be aware of school board/school direction related to use of change rooms). All teams are responsible for bringing their own warmup up equipment (e.g. balls) and ensure it is disinfected before and after use.
   

Grand Erie Sporting Events Contact Tracing

This form is to be used at all Grand Erie sports competitions held on City of Brantford facilities.

If you have ANY COVID-19 SYMPTOMS, YOU MUST NOT ENTER THE PROPERTY/FACILITY.

This information is being obtained for the sole purpose of contact tracing if we are made aware of a possible COVID-19 exposure. This information will be held secure and will only be provided to a Public Health Unit when requested,

For household members attending together only one name and contact is required and they will be responsible for attesting that all those attending have passed the self screening and for notifying their party in the event of any exposure.