We all look forward to returning to Coronation Arena over the next week, reconnecting with old teammates, seeing our coaches, and making new friends! As we prepare to return to the ice, players and families are asked to review the following information to be prepared to enter the arena so we can kick off a great season.
VACCINES
All parents, guardians, or caretakers and players born in 2009 and earlier must show proof of vaccination or approved exemption at the time of entry into Coronation Arena. Non-player proof of vaccination or exemption and ID will be visually verified by City of Hamilton staff. Player proof of vaccination or approved exemption (see below) will be verified by Coronation volunteers. No information will be retained by either City of Hamilton staff or Coronation volunteers.
Identification is required to verify name and date of birth only. Players under 18 do not need to present identification.
Accepted ID:
- Must show Name and Date of Birth, issued from an institution or organization (e.g. health card YES, Costco membership NO)
- Does not need to include a picture
- Can be shown as a photocopy or digital/electronic version (on a device). It must be easily readable.
- Can be expired
- Name and Date of Birth must match the vaccine certificate to be considered valid.
Proof of vaccination, identification and exemption requirements are determined by the Ministry of Health, the City of Hamilton, and Alliance Hockey. For Alliance information, please see the Alliance Return to Hockey Plan. In all instances where any regulations differ, we follow the stricter policy.
Exemptions
- Players must have a valid Alliance exemption. Non-players may use an exemption following City and Provincial guidelines.
- The full list of player exemptions to vaccine verification and forms can be found on the Alliance Return to Hockey Plan. Players MUST fill out the Alliance form and receive Alliance approval before being allowed to participate.
- Participants that have been granted an exception must show proof of a negative COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Screen at least 24 hours prior to each sanctioned ALLIANCE Hockey event/activity to their Member Minor Hockey Association. Testing is at the expense of the participant (e.g. available at participating Shoppers Drug Marts). A negative COVID-19 test will be considered invalid after a 72-hour period and a repeat test is required for continued participation in Alliance Hockey sanctioned events.
Players
In accordance with the Alliance Return to Hockey Plan:
- All players born in 2009 must be vaccinated or receive an approved exemption from Alliance. Their first vaccine must be active before they can be on the ice (first shot plus two weeks). Players must be fully vaccinated (second shot plus two weeks) by October 31. Note: While the City does not require youth sports participants to be vaccinated or have an approved exemption, Alliance does.
- Players born in 2009 and earlier and not fully vaccinated by October 31 will not be able to play this season.
- Players under 18 do not need to show ID.
- Masks must be worn until players go on the ice.
Spectators
- Each player may have only one parent, guardian or caregiver enter the arena. Any non-player entering Coronation born in 2009 or earlier will be required to show proof of vaccination and ID. If younger siblings accompany the parent, guardian or caregiver, they must stay with the adult. We are hopeful as the season progresses that players will be allowed to bring more than one spectator.
- All other public health measures remain in effect such as masking, capacity limits, screening, physical distancing and contact tracing.
- City of Hamilton guidelines for spectators can be found on the City of Hamilton Recreation page.
Coaches/Trainers/Referees/Game Officials
- All Coaches/Trainers/Referees/Game Officials must be fully vaccinated with no exemptions permitted.
- The first vaccine must be active before they can participate (first shot plus two weeks). All must be fully vaccinated (second shot plus two weeks) by October 31. Those not fully vaccinated by October 31 will not be able to participate this season.
- All volunteers who come into contact with the public must be fully vaccinated.
ARRIVING AT THE RINK
When arriving at Coronation Arena, please arrive 15-20 minutes before your scheduled ice time and enter the main entrance of the arena. Be prepared with both your vaccine verification and photo identification. The City will be checking the vaccination status and ID of non-players. Coronation volunteers will be confirming the vaccination status of players as well as doing contact tracing for all entering the arena. We hope to have this process streamlined somewhat for Saturday and running like a well oiled machine soon.
Please plan on adjusting arrival times as you may experience wait times before entering, especially for your first couple of ice times. Everyone must exit the arena within 15-minutes of the end of your ice session and use the doors by the players benches into the parking lot. No one is to exit the main entrance.
Players may be accompanied by one adult who has the proper documentation as outlined above.
Provincial regulations remain in effect regarding masks. Players can only remove their masks when entering the ice or on the bench.
Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding and demonstrating kindness to everyone who is helping us with this process. It is a learning experience for all of us.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
For children currently too young to receive the vaccination, will there be a grace period in January for vaccination?
- At the time of this policy, all players in the birth year of 2009 and before are considered eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccination.
- Per Alliance, a player that is not eligible by age to receive the vaccine at the time of this Policy’s release will agree to complete their vaccination series within 30 days of becoming eligible.
- This may change as Provincial and Alliance regulations evolve.
If a member of our group tests positive, who is that to be reported to? Do we need to call Public
Health?
- Public Health will follow up with the individual testing positive to assess risk and activity during any period they may have been contagious. If this includes a time period where they participated in sport at a facility, Public Health will assess if any other individuals are considered “close contacts.” Public Health may then follow up with Coronation to identify close contacts to advise players or their families of need to isolate.
- If a player advises the organization of a positive case, they do not need to call Public Health. Action is only required if Public Health contacts the organization for follow up.
Are parents allowed in the dressing room area to tie players skates where necessary, or will the
coaches/trainers have to do this?
- Parents are permitted in dressing rooms. However we are limited as to the number people in a dressing room, so we ask that you tie the skates and exit the room as soon as possible. Please proceed to the stands inside the rink immediately. Dress warm! Note that the benches in the lobby will be off limits.
- Have your player bring a clearly personalized water bottle. Sharing is prohibited.
Are visiting teams our responsibility to screen and contact trace?
- Yes. We are responsible for anyone invited to the arena. We are developing a plan to make this as painless as possible.
Is this the plan for the entire season?
- Regulations and requirements for vaccine verification will be determined by the Provincial government and requirements will change as they allow.
LINKS
Alliance Return to Hockey Plan: https://alliancehockey.com/Pages/5413/RETURN_TO_HOCKEY_PLAN/
City of Hamilton Recreation: https://www.hamilton.ca/recreation
City of Hamilton Proof of Vaccination: www.hamilton.ca/ProofOfVaccination