COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate Guidelines and Procedure
The Township of Tyendinaga is committed to providing a safe, enjoyable recreation experience for all participants, guests and staff visiting our facilities. The Township of Tyendinaga must be consistent with Provincial Regulations as issued. The following has been developed to ensure compliance with all required Provincial Regulations for entry and access to the noted facilities.
The public are expected to follow provincial protocols under the Ontario Reopening Plan.
Commencing Wednesday, September 22, 2021, Ontarians will need to be fully vaccinated (two doses plus 14 days) and provide proof of vaccination along with photo ID to access certain public settings and facilities, this includes the Recreation Hall, Council Chambers, and Fire Hall meeting space.
Vaccination certificates may be obtained by visiting https://covid19.ontariohealth.ca/.
This document outlines the procedure for verifying vaccine certificates for members of the public wishing to visit or participate in indoor programs, events, or gatherings at the above stated facilities.
The guidelines and procedures laid out in this document are subject to change in accordance to Ontario Regulation 645/21 under the Reopening Ontario (A flexible Response to Covid-19) Act, 2020, and local public health recommendations.
Further guidance is also available from the Ministry of Health document Proof of Vaccination Guidance for Businesses and Organizations under the Reopening Ontario Act – Version 1 – September 14, 2021
All other public health and workplace safety measures in O. Reg. 364/20 remain in effect (including but not limited to capacity limits, patron screening, masking, physical distancing and collection of patron contact information where required).
Who is required to show a Vaccine Certificate?
- All Individuals 12 years of age and older (except those exempt), participating in the following types of Township programs:
o Registered and Drop-in recreation programs i.e., Pilates and yoga
- Visitors to the facilities for the purpose of:
o Spectator
o Participant of meeting or event i.e., hall rental
The following exemptions apply:
- All individuals under 18 years of age, who are entering the indoor premises of a facility used for sport and recreational fitness activities solely for the purpose of actively participating in an organized sport.
- The exemption relating to youth under 18 years of age actively participating in indoor organized sport applies to training, practices, games, and competitions.
- The exemption does not apply to any patron twelve (12) years of age and older who are spectators for any sports and recreational fitness activities.
- A patron who is entering an indoor area solely for the following purposes:
o to use a washroom
o to access an outdoor area that can only be accessed through an indoor route
o to make a retail purchase
o to register for a program or purchase admission; or as may be necessary for the purposes of health and safety
- Patrons who provide a written document, completed, and supplied by a physician (designated as “MD”) or by a registered nurse in the extended class (designated as “Registered Nurse (Extended Class)”, “RN(EC)”, “Nurse Practitioner” or “NP”) stating that the individual is exempt for a medical reason from being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and the effective time-period for the medical reason.
- Patrons who are entering the indoor premises of a meeting or event space solely for the purposes of attending a wedding service, rite or ceremony or a funeral service, rite, or ceremony, but not an associated social gathering.
- For the period of September 22, 2021 – October 12, 2021, individuals over the age of 18 attending a recreational facility for a social gathering associated with a wedding service, rite of ceremony or a funeral may produce the results of an antigen test administered within the previous 48 hours establishing that the person is negative for COVID-19 as an alternative to proof of vaccination or vaccine certificate. The Township of Tyendinaga will not supply or reimburse the cost of rapid antigen tests.
Validating Vaccine Certificates
- As of September 22, 2021, municipal staff will be available upon arrival to verify vaccine certificates as required by the province
- Participants in Township registered, and drop-in recreation programs may visit the Municipal Office during work hours (8:30am-4:00pm Monday to Friday), to have their vaccine certificate verified by the Social Director. Once verified, vaccine certificates will not be required to be shown at each visit by registered or regular drop-in program participants.
- For one-time visits i.e., spectators or members of the public stopping in, the visitor will be required to show proof of vaccination as issued by the Province of Ontario and identification.
Ongoing Provincial Requirements
- Covid-19 health screening prior to arrival or upon arrival will still be required.
- Masks/face coverings are required in all public areas. Masks/face coverings may be removed while actively participating in sport or fitness programming. Upon completion of sport or fitness activities masks must be immediately donned.
- As per Ontario Regulation 364/20 all facilities noted above are still required to operate on limited capacity requiring physical distancing of 2 meters in all areas.
