• BC Wheelchair Sports Restart Plan Update – August 25

  • massive-dev  |  August 31, 2021

BC Wheelchair Sports Association – Return to Sport Restart

Following recent announcements from the Public Health Office the Province of BC has now entered Step 3 of the viaSport Return to Sport Restart which allows for a near normal resumption of sport activities. While many restrictions have been lifted sport participants are reminded that municipalities or facilities may impose their own limitations on activities as they work through this next phase and build back to pre-pandemic capacitiesBelow is the current PHO guidance as it relates to Wheelchair Tennis, Wheelchair Rugby, and Wheelchair Athletics.  Participants including athletes, coaches, and volunteers are encouraged to stay up to date on additional Public Health measures at the links below.

Sport participants are reminded that municipalities or facilities may impose their own limitations on activities. It is the responsibility of the participant to keep up to date on the requirements of their training venues and to follow all rules while on site. There are currently additional restrictions in the Interior Health Region intended to manage the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. Details on those restrictions can be found at the following link : https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/provincial-and-regional-restrictions/. Where there are disagreements between the two documents, the Interior Health document takes precedence.

While we are optimistic and excited for the progression of the restart plan, we must all continue to follow Public Health Guidance as we return to the sports we know and love. Diligence in this transition period will ensure that we can get back to normal sport settings as soon as possible.

Any questions regarding the information contained in this document or the RTS process in general should be directed to Program Manager Michelle McDonell at michelle@bcwheelchairsports.com or the BCWSA Program Staff responsible for each sport.

General Guidelines – effective August 25, 2021

  • All activities must be in alignment with the viaSport Return to Sport Restart 2.0 Chart
  • All activities must follow all Government of BC COVID-19 Restrictions and Orders
  • All participants (or their parents for participants under 18) will be required to sign an updated BCWSA Waiver or Assumption of Risk AND COVID-19 Declaration and must follow all BCWSA Policies and Protocols (linked below).
  • Individuals should not attend any sport programming if they are unwell. Participants may use the COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool (https://bc.thrive.health/covid19/en/) to assess their symptoms as necessary. It is the responsibility of the individual to monitor themselves for symptoms which may be related to COVID-19.
  • All participants and coaches should continue to practice good hygiene (frequent hand washing with soap and water and use of hand sanitizers;; avoid touching one’s face; respiratory etiquette; disinfect frequently touched surfaces).


Programs should record attendance at sporting activities each session and maintain contact details for all attendees for at least two weeks following an event (tournament, practice, training camp etc.)

Physical Assistance may be offered to athletes as required but all parties (including athletes) must wear a mask while within 2m of each other whether indoors or outdoors.

Physical distancing is no longer required on or off the field of play.

Travel for sport is permitted Canada-wide. International travel must continue to follow federal guidance.

Sport Guidelines

Sport restrictions now differentiate between indoor versus outdoor sport only.

Indoor sports (ie. rugby) which are taking place outdoors may follow outdoor restrictions.

Indoor

There is no limit on participation numbers (all ages)

Participants include athletes, coaches, trainers, officials and any individual present in an official capacity but does not include spectators

Seated spectators are limited to 50 individuals or 50% of capacity, whichever is greater
Per the most recent order from the Public Health Officer all individuals over the age of 12, regardless of their vaccination status must wear a mask in all indoor public spaces throughout B.C. (including fitness and recreation facilities) to help slow the transmission of COVID-19 as B.C. prepares for the fall and respiratory illness season. Masks do not need to be worn on the field of play while participating in sport

Outdoor

There is no limit on participation numbers (all ages)

Participants include athletes, coaches, trainers, officials and any individual present in an official capacity but does not  include spectators

Seated spectators are limited to 5000 individuals or 50% of capacity, whichever is greater
Masks are not required except when giving/receiving physical assistance as above.

High Performance Sport

CSI-P identified athletes must adhere to all requirements above

 Resources

BC Wheelchair Sports Resources

Waiver/Assumption of Risk

COVID-19 Declaration

Illness Policy

Outbreak Response Protocol
Personal Health Attestation


Government Resources

Province-Wide Restrictions – Province of British Columbia
Travel and COVID-19 – Province of British Columbia

PHO Order on Masks in Public Indoor Settings

PHO Order on Gatherings and Events
 

Other Resources

WorkSafeBC
viaSport Return to Sport Restart 2.0 Chart