PRESS RELEASE - Proof of Vaccination for Hanover P&H Centre

September 16, 2021 - PROOF OF VACCINATION OUTLINED FOR PUBLIC MEMBERS USING HANOVER P & H CENTRE 

The Town of Hanover is committed to ensuring the health and safety of the public accessing municipal facilities and is required to follow Provincial legislation related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In accordance with Ontario Regulation 364/20, starting September 22, 2021 individuals will need to be fully vaccinated (two doses plus 14 days) and provide their proof of vaccination and identification to access the indoor areas of facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities including recreational facilities, pools, sporting events and indoor areas of facilities where spectators watch events. 

Members of the public are also expected to follow requirements under the Province’s Ontario Reopening Act, 2020 in addition to conducting themselves in a courteous and appropriate manner when in public facilities, including the P & H Centre. 

Upon entry to the P & H Centre, participants, patrons and spectators will need to provide proof of vaccination and proper identification to customer service desk staff, designated screening staff in the lobby, or the sport organization’s check-in location. Individuals not providing the required proof will not be permitted to enter to attend their program or visit the facility. This applies to the following: 

• Individuals 12 years of age and older, participating Town of Hanover programs, including:

o  Drop-in recreation and fitness programs, including; lane swims, adult and tot, adult and senior, aquafit, public/family swims, recreational skates, shinny.

o  Parents/guardians participating in parent/children lessons, spectating at their child’s program/lessons or dropping off/picking up their children from a program. 

• Individuals 18 years of age and older, participating in Town of Hanover programs, including:

o  Registered recreation programs, including; swim programs, adult programs. 

• Individuals 12 years of age and older attending Town of Hanover indoor recreation facilities for the purpose of:

o  Being a Spectator.

o  Being a Patron, including; walking track, fitness equipment area. 

• Participants of sport groups, including; minor hockey, skating clubs, minor ringette, swim club, adult sport leagues, special Olympics, as follows:

o  Participants 18 years of age and older or as per governing sport organization vaccination directive or mandate will be required to show their proof of vaccination to their club representative.

o  Spectators 12 years of age and older, attending sporting events. 

• Attendees 12 years of age or older or third-party indoor facility rentals, including:

o  Leaders and organizers who have rented space within Town recreation facilities.

o  Any person attending a workshop, meeting or event hosted by a third-party and held in a space within a Town recreation facility. 

The COVID-19 proof of vaccination and proof of identification requirements under O. Reg. 364/20 do not apply to: 

• Workers, contractors, repair workers, delivery workers, students, volunteers, inspectors or others who are entering the facility for work purposes. Town of Hanover Policy JHS-037 Infection Control – COVID-19 Immunization will be applicable. 

• A patron who is entering an indoor area solely for the purpose to use a washroom. 

• Children under 12 years of age. 

• Patrons 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 participating in an organized sport. This applies to training, practices, games and competitions including sports leagues, organized pick-up sports, dance classes, martial arts and swimming classes. 

• Patrons 18 years of age or older who are entering the indoor premises of a facility used for sport and recreational fitness activities solely for the purpose of participating in an organized sport as a coach or official, unless required by the sport’s governing organization. 

• Patrons who provide a written document, completed and supplied by a licensed doctor or Registered Nurse Practitioner 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.

 The following is an example for the same 12-year-old individual reflecting the requirements of O. Reg. 364/20. 

• Attending a public swim | Proof of Vaccination & Identification Required
• Attending and watching their sibling’s hockey game | Proof of Vaccination & Identification Required
• Participating in their organized sport practice or game | Proof not required unless mandated by governing sport organization
• Participating in their registered swim lesson program | Proof not required

The Town of Hanover would like to remind residents of the potential for the circulation of COVID-19 in our community. Individuals using our facilities are required to follow the 3 W’s – wash hands frequently, watch distance (ideally 2m), and wear face coverings correctly. Users of Hanover’s facilities, including the P & H Centre, are also reminded that when you attend these facilities as a participant, spectator or patron you assume risk when in our facility. An inherent risk of exposure to communicable diseases including COVID-19 exists in any public space where people are present. By visiting any publicly accessible facility, including the P & H Centre, you are voluntarily assuming all risks including any risk of injury, loss, damage and possible exposure to a communicable disease, including COVID-19.

Download a copy of the Press Release

More information can be found at ontario.ca/coronavirus or publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

Updates on Town of Hanover operations can be found at hanover.ca or by following #InThisTogetherHanover

Media Contact
Brian Tocheri
CAO/Clerk       
519.364.2310 x 1128                                     
btocheri@hanover.ca