COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

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RETURN TO SKATING PROTOCOLS - PHASE 2

We at the Innisfail Skating Club are committed to staying informed and following the guidelines set by all federal, provincial, and municipal regulations to limit the spread of COVID-19.  We will be working with our governing body, Skate Canada:  Alberta-NWT/Nunavut, and following their safety guidelines.  With restrictions in place and certain safety standards, our sessions will look different this season.  The good news is that we get to skate.

At this time, the Town of Innisfail has put a limit on how many skaters/coaches can be on the ice.  We are only allowed to have a maximum of 25 skaters on the ice (not including coaches).

The Innisfail Skating Club will communicate to our families any changes to these protocols.  We are looking forward to this year’s season, even though it comes with many changes.

Let's all work together to stay safe. 

Item	Protocol
Compliance with Regulations	All individuals must comply with the most current version of the Return to Play protocols established by the Innisfail Skating Club and Skate Canada: Alberta-NWT/Nunavut and must adhere to all federal, provincial, and municipal regulations.  Non-compliance may result in removal from our programs without a refund.
Compliance with Waiver	The Assumption of Risk and Waiver form must be completed by each participant (including staff, skaters, coaches, and volunteers) prior to participation in any activities.  This waiver needs to be completed online and only once.  See Appendix B for Assumption of Risk and Waiver
Education	All parents and skaters will receive detailed information via email regarding new safety and hygiene protocols that are in effect this season. Prior to the program start date, every parent will receive a phone call from an ISC board member, at which time the details of these new protocols will be discussed, and any parental or skater concerns can be addressed. A Board member will record the date of the phone conversation with the parent/skater to confirm information has been accurately relayed and received.
Self-Screening Measures	Individuals must NOT attend any classes or club activities if they: • Exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms identified by health experts  Alberta Health COVID-19 Symptoms • Have returned from travel outside of Canada (must quarantine for 14 days at home) • Have been in contact with some with COVID-19 in the past 14 days Those who are considered vulnerable or an at-risk individual are advised of the increased risk of participation and take additional precautions and use of PPE where possible.
Screening of individuals	Each participant (skaters, coaches, officials, evaluators and volunteers) must complete an on-site verbal screening on a daily basis before participating in any club activities.  Attendance will be logged for contact tracing purposes.  Children and youth under the age of 12 may need a parent to assist them during the screening process.  See Appendix A for Health Screening Questionnaire

 

Personal Hygiene	• Wash or sanitize hands upon entry to the facility and immediately after each class • Skaters should not touch door handles, gates, benches, or  other common surfaces • Personal hygiene etiquette must be practiced at all times (cough/sneeze into arm or tissue, immediately place used tissues into the facility garbage bins) • All skating clothes, gloves, water bottles, and skates must be kept clean.  Make sure all items of clothing are immediately washed and skates/guards sanitized, prior to re-entering the facility • All personal items (guards, water bottles, etc.) must be clearly labeled.  STARSkater can store these items in their personal baskets and keep them at board side or on the players' bench.  The Facility is allowing skaters to take a small bag to that area as well • Absolutely no sharing of water bottles or food
Cleaning / Disinfecting	The arena staff will implement a cleaning schedule to ensure disinfecting at regular intervals in accordance with Public Health guidelines.  A disinfectant spray will be used on all high touch areas, doors, equipment, chairs, etc. Hand sanitizer stations are located at the facility including near the ice surface.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)	Coaches and Program Assistants are required to wear non-medical face masks while coaching CanSkate.  Clean gloves for each session must be worn.  Physical distancing of 2 metres must always be maintained if there is not a sport cohort in place. For Skaters, wearing a face mask while skating is optional. Any individual attending to a non-family member for a medical emergency must wear appropriate PPE including a medical face mask and disposable gloves.
Physical Distancing	Skaters are required to maintain a physical distance of 2 metres with skaters and coaches at all times on the ice and within the facility. There will be a supervisor who makes sure that social distancing guidelines and traffic flow are being followed
Dressing Rooms	Dressing rooms will be in use.  We ask that skaters use social distancing of 2 metres in the room and wearing a non-medical face mask is optional but encouraged.  We encourage skaters to enter the building wearing their skates and guards to protect their blades. Skaters are asked to use their bins to hold all personal belongings and place them in the players' box while skating.  Skaters are asked to only bring one small bag into the facility. At this time, only participants are allowed in the dressing room.  If you have to assist your skater with their skates, please use the benches in the hallway or the lobby.  Minding spacing markers.
Entry / Exit to Facility	Participants may enter the facility no more than 15 minutes prior to the activity and must leave immediately following the completion of their class.  The facility will be locked once the skating session begins. Individuals must use the designated entry and exit door, along with following the one-way flow patterns established by the facility.
Parents / Spectators	Limited spectators are allowed. One parent/guardian per participant will be allowed in the facility as a spectator for the duration of an activity.  Spacing markers will be visible to establish safe designated standing/seating areas. Effective Oct. 19, additional spectators will be allowed access to the viewing areas of the Innisfail Arena. Access is still limited to essential and/or immediate family only and viewers must have an affiliation to a participant. The general public is still not allowed access at this time. We ask that families voluntarily limit the number of spectators to those who are absolutely necessary. In continuing to ensure the safety and well-being of both patrons and staff, mask use in accordance with provincial health recommendations will also be strongly encouraged.
Coaching	All coaching will be done using verbal cues. There should be no physical contact with the skater unless medical attention is required. A minimum of 2 metres must be maintained between the skater(s) and the other coaches at all times.  Wearing a non-medical mask is recommended.
Travel	Transportation to and from the facility should be arranged so that only individuals from the same household or cohort members share rides Travel within the Province for sport, recreation and physical activities is permitted for all approved programming under the current version of the Skate Canada: Alberta-NWT/Nunavut protocols.

 

 

 

 

 

              APPENDIX A

              HEALTH SCREENING QUESTIONNAIRE

 

This questionnaire must be completed verbally by each individual prior to participation in each skating class.  If an individual answers YES to any of the questions, they must not be allowed to participate in the skating program. Children and youth may need a parent to assist them to complete this screening tool.

 

1.	Do you/your child have any new-onset (or worsening) of any of the following symptoms?	CIRCLE ONE
	Fever	YES	NO
	Cough	YES	NO
	Shortness of breath / Difficulty breathing	YES	NO
	Sore throat	YES	NO
	Chills	YES	NO
	Painful swallowing	YES	NO
	Runny nose / Nasal congestion	YES	NO
	Feeling unwell / Fatigued	YES	NO
	Nausea / Vomiting / Diarrhea	YES	NO
	Unexplained loss of appetite	YES	NO
	Loss of sense of taste or smell	YES	NO
	Muscle/joint aches (unrelated to training)	YES	NO
	Headache	YES	NO
	Conjunctivitis (commonly known as pink eye)	YES	NO
2.	Has the person attending the activity/facility traveled outside of Canada in the last 14 days?	YES	NO
3.	Have you/your child had close, unprotected* contact (face to face contact within 2 metre/6 feet) with someone who has traveled outside of Canada in the last 14 days, and who is ill**?	YES	NO
4.	Have you/your child attending the program or activity had close, unprotected* contact (face to face contact within 2 metre/6 feet) in the last 14 days and who is ill**?	YES	NO
5.	Have you/your child or anyone in your household been in close, unprotected* contact in the last 14 days with someone who is being investigated or confirmed to be a case of COVID-19?	YES	NO

* “unprotected” means close contact without appropriate personal protective equipment.

 ** “ill” means someone with COVID-19 symptoms on the list above.

 

 If you have answered YES to any of the above questions do not participate. Proceed home and use the AHS Online Health Assessment Tool to determine if testing is recommended.

 

APPENDIX B

SKATE CANADA ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND WAIVER

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

1. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF INHERENT RISK

I understand that participation in skating, figure skating, and any other sporting activities listed in the enclosed appendix (hereinafter the “Sports Activity”) is voluntary, and involves inherent risk during participation, including the risk of possible accidents, physical injury, or exposure to the COVID-19 virus or other infections or infectious diseases as a result of attending training, club events or competitive events. I freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, including but not limited to personal injury, disease transmission, death, property damage or loss, resulting from my participation. I have carefully considered the risks involved, and I have full confidence that reasonable precautions will be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of myself (or my son/daughter/ward).

2. WAIVER

I do for myself (or my child), and our respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, hereby waive, release, and forever discharge Skate Canada and/or Skate Canada: Alberta-Northwest Territories/Nunavut Association (Skate Canada: Alberta-NWT/Nunavut Section), all Regions of Skate Canada: Alberta-NWT/Nunavut Section, Innisfail Skating Club, their officers, partners, agents, employees, servants, representatives, volunteers, coaches, officials, successors and assigns (the “Representatives”) of and from any actions, causes of action, complaints, demands and claims or any recourse whatsoever (“Claims”) that I have or may have in the future in any way connected with my (or my child’s) participation in the Sports Activity contemplated herein, whether in law or in equity, in respect of personal injury, illness or disease transmission, loss of life, or property damage of any kind or nature, and I do hereby discharge the Representatives from any such liability. This includes negligence, breach of contract or breach of any statutory or other duty of care.

3. INDEMNIFICATION

I further agree to fully indemnify and defend Skate Canada and/or Skate Canada: Alberta-NWT/Nunavut Section, all Regions of Skate Canada: Alberta-NWT/Nunavut Section, Innisfail Skating Club and any of their Representatives from and against any and all Claims brought against Skate Canada and/or Skate Canada: Alberta-NWT/Nunavut Section, all Regions of Skate Canada: Alberta-NWT/Nunavut Section, Innisfail Skating Club and any of their Representatives, including all related costs and expenses, and against any loss, costs, damages, or expenses which Skate Canada and/or Skate Canada: Alberta-NWT/Nunavut Section, all Regions of Skate Canada: Alberta-NWT/Nunavut Section, Innisfail Skating Club and any of their Representatives may sustain, suffer, incur, or be liable for resulting from, arising from, or in any way related to my (or my son/daughter/ward’s) participation in the Sports Activity. I also agree and undertake not to make any claim or take any proceedings against the Representatives set out above, or any other person or corporation which might claim contribution or indemnity under the provisions of any statute or otherwise from the Representatives set out above.

4. SEVERABILITY

The provisions of this Assumption of Risk and Waiver shall be deemed severable and if any provision or portion thereof is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason, the remainder shall not thereby be invalidated, but shall remain in full force and effect.

Acknowledgment: I am aware of the nature and effect of this Assumption of Risk and Waiver and I fully understand all of the terms and conditions above. I understand that I have given up substantial rights by signing this Assumption of Risk and Waiver and I am signing it freely and voluntarily without inducement.

Parent/Guardian: I certify that I am the parent or legal guardian of the participant named below and that I am entitled to his or her custody and control. I understand the aforesaid inherent risks that could arise from these activities, I grant permission for my son/daughter/ward to participate in the Sports Activity and other activities incidental thereto and I execute this Assumption of Risk and Waiver on behalf of myself and my son/daughter/ward.

Participant’s Name: ______________________________   Date of Birth (D/M/Y): ____ /____ /____

Participant’s Signature: _____________________________

Parent/Guardian Name(s): _____________________________ / ______________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature(s): ____________________________ / ____________________________

Date (D/M/Y): ____ /____ /____

  

APPENDIX C

ILLNESS POLICY

A “participant” includes a skater, coach, choreographer, volunteer, official, skater or parent/spectator. 

1. Inform an individual in a position of authority (coach, club administrator) immediately if, you feel any symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat and painful swallowing, stuffy or runny nose, loss of sense of smell, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and loss of appetite.
2. Assessment
   1. Participants must have a daily verbal screening for symptoms upon arrival at the facility
   2. Supervisors/coaches will visually monitor participants to assess any early warning signs as to the status
   3. If Participants are unsure, they will be instructed to use the Alberta Health COVID-19 self-assessment tool

 

3. If a Participant is feeling sick with COVID-19 symptoms
   1. They should remain at home and contact Health Link at 811
   2. If they feel sick and /or are showing symptoms while at the facility, they will be sent home immediately and have them contact 811 or a doctor for further guidance
   3. No Participant may participate in a session if they are symptomatic
4. If a Participant tests positive for COVID-19
   1. The Participant will not be permitted to return to the facility until they are free of the COVID-19 virus as verified by a medical professional
   2. Any Participants who practice closely with the infected participant will also be removed from the facility for at least 14 days to ensure the infection does not spread further
   3. If any participant tests positive, the club/skating school must inform the Alberta-NWT/Nunavut Section Office of the positive case

 

5. If a Participant has been tested and is waiting for the results of a COVID-19 Test
   1. As with the confirmed case, the Participant must be removed from the facility
   2. The Public Health Agency of Canada advises that any person who has even mild symptoms to stay home and contact Health Link at 811
   3. Other Participants who may have been exposed will be informed and removed from the activity for at least 14 days or until the diagnosis of COVID-19 is ruled out by health authorities

 

6. If a Participant has come in to contact with someone who is confirmed to have COVID-19
   1. Participants must advise their coach and/or the Innisfail Skating Club if they reasonably believe they have been exposed to COVID-19
   2. Once contact is confirmed, the Participant will be required to follow the direction of Alberta Health Services

 

7. Quarantine or Self-Isolate if:
   1. Any Participant who has a member of their household who has traveled outside of Canada and has experienced any symptoms identified on the verbal health screening questionnaire within the last 14 days is not permitted to enter any part of the facility and must quarantine and self-isolate
   2. Any Participant with any symptoms of COVID-19 is not permitted to enter any part of the facility and must quarantine and self-isolate
   3. Any Participant from a household with someone showing symptoms of COVID-19 is not permitted to enter any part of the facility and must quarantine and self-isolate
   4. Any Participant who is in quarantine or self-isolating as a result of contact with an infected person or in families who are self-isolating is not permitted to enter any part of the facility

Appendix D

SKATER CHECKLIST

Before you leave home

 

• DO NOT leave home if you are feeling unwell or showing signs of COVID-19 Symptoms (Fever, Cough, Shortness of Breath, Sore Throat or Runny Nose)
• Eat before you come, if you take food please ensure it is self-contained, do not share
• Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water
• Thoroughly wash water bottles with soap and warm water
• Thoroughly wash training clothes and accessories including gloves, hard guards, blade rag etc.
• Use the washroom

 At the Arena

 

• Arrive at the facility no more than 10 minutes prior to scheduled ice session
• Warm-up outside if possible, maintaining a physical distance of 2m
• Enter through established entrances and follow signs
• Wash your hands with soap & water or sanitize using hand sanitizer
• Respect social distancing guidelines at all times
• Register with the Innisfail Skating Club Volunteer for Contact Tracing Attendance
• DO NOT share water bottles or personal items
• Follow all guideline and procedures established by the facility and by the Innisfail Skating Club

After Skating is complete

 

• Wash your hands with soap & water or sanitize using hand sanitizer immediately after getting off the ice
• Leave the facility immediately following your session
• Exit through established exits
• Thoroughly wash/disinfect all training clothes and accessories including water bottle, phones, gloves, skates, guards, blade rag etc.