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2021-22 Risk & Safety
March 17, 2022 - Continuation of Masking and Screening
We hope everyone is enjoying a restful March Break. In light of the upcoming removal of most provincial mask mandates on March 21, we wanted to inform our community that OCMHA will continue to maintain existing masking and screening rules for participants for the remainder of the 2021-2022 season, including Spring 4on4.
The OCMHA has reviewed its approach to COVID-19 health and safety measures and, as we have done throughout the pandemic, we looked to guidance provided by Ottawa Public Health to help us determine our course of action. While OPH has not yet issued specific updated guidance for indoor sports, it continues to recommend masking as a health and safety measure where risks warrant. OPH also reiterated the three heightened risk factors for transmission of the virus - crowded areas, close contact and confined spaces with limited ventilation.
Hockey dressing rooms and benches involve a combination of all three heightened risk factors. Further, our community has varying degrees of comfort and levels of vulnerability to COVID-19 risks. This is why the OCMHA has decided to maintain existing masking rules for participants. This means that all participants are expected to continue wearing masks in dressing room areas, and that coaches and bench staff will wear masks on the ice, on the bench and at all times when interacting with players. Finally, players and volunteers will continue to be required to complete the COVID-19 screening form before each icetime and follow public health guidance, including staying home if they have symptoms.
Expectations of non-participating parents and spectators will depend on the rules of the facility where we are playing. Some, such as Carleton, will continue to mandate masks in all areas of the facility. Regardless of the rules, we encourage everyone to continue to mask for the rest of the season to limit the transmission of COVID-19 in our community.
As always, we thank you for your collaboration and we will continue to keep an eye on this evolving situation.
< Click for OCMHA COVID-19 Vaccination Policy > updated September 7, 2021
Nov 19, 2021 - Vaccine Update
Important info re 5-11 year oldsI am writing as many of you will have seen the news that Health Canada has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for 5-11 year olds. Ottawa Public Health has indicated that they are prepared to provide first doses within 4 weeks of the vaccine being authorized and distributed. More information on the OPH vaccination roll out for this age group is being posted at this link https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/covid-19-vaccination-and-children.aspx
Consistent with the OCMHA’s approach to vaccination for those 12 years of age and over - and based on current public health advice - we encourage families to get their eligible children vaccinated as soon as the clinics are available. This will further protect the safety of our players, volunteers and the community as a whole.
While a decision on mandatory vaccination for this age group has not yet been made, it is anticipated that the mandatory vaccination policy currently in place may extend to 5-11 year olds, along with consideration for appropriate deadlines for this age group to receive their first and second doses.
We will share more information as it is received. Please contact myself (president@ocmha.ca) or Matt Meagher (riskandsafety@ocmha.ca) if you have questions or concerns.
David Loehr
President, OCMHA
Requirements for Parents and Guardians
September 8, 2021
Dear OCMHA Families,
As you are aware, the OCMHA has adopted a mandatory vaccination policy effective September 9, which aligns with the broader approach taken by the BMHL.
While players born after 2009 are not currently eligible for vaccinations, all parents and guardians are required to follow the policy. The complete text of the policy is available on our website, as are the OCMHA Safety Guidelines.
To be clear, any parent or guardian who will need to be in the dressing room, the dressing room hallways or on the bench, even just to tie skates, will need to provide proof of vaccination before entering those areas. At this stage, before teams are formed and safety officers are in place, the Convenors will be acting as the safety officers. You must present proof of vaccination status to the convenor at the door before you will be allowed into a dressing room. Once teams are formed, the Managers/Safety Coordinators will assume this role.
In addition to providing proof of vaccination, parents and guardians are reminded to respect distancing and capacity requirements, to limit the time spent in the dressing room to what is necessary, and to ensure that they do not bring other children into those areas. If a parent or guardian needs to keep another child with them, we ask that skates be tied or other needs be tended to in the spectator area. (As with last year, we ask that players put on as much equipment as possible at home.)
Convenors and Safety Coordinators will not need to keep a copy of your proof of vaccination. They will simply keep a record that they have seen the proof and that you are permitted in the dressing room areas. To that end, if you will need access to those areas, please download your proof of vaccination from the Government of Ontario website and show it to the Convenor at your next session.
Your assistance in implementing these measures is greatly appreciated, and will play a big role in making this season a success. Thanks and see you at the rink!
OCMHA Risk and Safety