RTP UPDATE: ONTARIO ANNOUNCES MOVE TO STEP 3 OF THE ‘ROADMAP TO REOPEN’

For Immediate Release 

July 9th, 2021

RTP UPDATE: ONTARIO ANNOUNCES MOVE TO STEP 3 OF THE ‘ROADMAP TO REOPEN’

The Ontario Government announced a move to Step 3 of the ‘Roadmap to Reopen’ for July 16th

 

Hamilton, Ontario - Earlier today, the Ontario Government announced that, due to the province wide vaccination rate and continuing improvements in key public health and health systems, Ontario will be moving into Step 3 of the 3 Step Roadmap to Reopen the Province.

The Ontario Government will move the province into Step Three of its Roadmap to Reopen at 12:01am EST on Friday, July 16th, 2021.

Entering Step 3 of the Roadmap to Reopen will allow for all sports to return to play with NO restrictions on contact sports. 

“The football community in Ontario has been waiting patiently to get back to full contact football for over two seasons. This announcement today is beyond exciting and is due to the hard work and dedication of the entire football community. Ontario Football will work with our members, stakeholders and partners to return fully to contact football and provide programming to football participants across the province. We are looking forward to a grassroots, community, highschool, junior and OUA season,” says Aaron Geisler, Executive Director of Ontario Football.

 

As we enter Step 3, there will also be an increased number of spectators allowed to attend both indoor and outdoor facilities, spectators must still wear masks unless they are entitled to any of the exceptions set forth by the government.

For an outdoor facility that has an area designated for spectators, seventy-five percent of the usual seating capacity or 15 000 persons, whichever is less, will be allowed. For a facility that does not have an area designated for spectator seating, seventy-five percent capacity or 5000 persons, whichever is less, will be allowed. We will continue to work to align our return to football documents and processes to ensure our members are in the best position to return to football as we receive more information.

For an indoor facility that has a designated area for spectators, fifty percent of the usual seating capacity or 1000 persons, whichever is less, will be allowed. For a facility that does not have a designated area for spectators, the number of spectators must be limited to a number that can maintain a physical distance of 2 metres and still may not exceed the fifty percent or 1000 persons limit set out. We will continue to work to align our return to football documents and processes to ensure our members are in the best position to return to football as we receive more information.

To read more on all of the regulations set forth by the government in Step 3 please view the Updated Reopening Ontario Act.

 

The province will remain in Step Three for a period of time in order to evaluate any impacts on the key public health and health system indicators. Ontario Football is collaborating with several outdoor sports representing more than 1 million Ontario residents to work with the government on all of the details of returning to play.

We will have more details on our updated Return to Play and Programming Pathways early next week. Make sure to tune into our social media accounts for any updates.

Please ensure your association has completed the following:

1. Completed and submitted your membership documentation for 2021: Member Form

2. Have a Return to Football safety plan completed and available to regional health authorities

3. Ensure registration of all participants in the OFA member registry for 2021 prior to getting on the field: Member Registry

All Ontario football programs can utilize their existing Return to Play plans that have been submitted and approved by modifying the delivery plan to reflect the capacity limits as well as delivery restrictions. Associations that have not yet completed a Return to Football plan must have one completed prior to returning to the field. Ensure to consult with your local health authorities as well as facilities to ensure alignment with their individual guidelines.

 

 For more specifics on the Roadmap to Reopen please visit: HERE

 

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Aaron Geisler

Executive Director

ageisler ontariofootball.ca

519-719-2322

 

 

ABOUT ONTARIO FOOTBALL: Ontario Football is the sanctioned provincial governing body for football in Ontario, through its focus on transparency, growth, alignment and excellence, is engaged in providing football opportunities for all of Ontario. Ontario Football is driven by a commitment to deliver football programming, opportunities and resources for its members and the provincial football stakeholders. Please visit: ontariofootball.ca