Covid 19

Dear OGHA families, 

Thank you for your patience as we transition into the 2021-2022 hockey season. We wanted to send an update regarding the OGHA’s strategy to keep our families safe and informed during this season. 

Our association has established a “COVID-19 Response Team”.  This Team will:

Recommend policies to optimize health and safety of players and staff

Help answer any return to play questions for various COVID scenarios

Help advise the organization on any safety related issues

Monitor updates from our governing bodies, local and provincial governments and Public Health authorities, and to communicate with coaches, trainers and members regarding their ongoing impact on this year’s hockey season.  

This Team is comprised of:

Melise Keays (MD, MSc, FRCSC), Celeste Fung (MD CCFP(COE)), Sunita Nayar-Kingwell (MD, MSc., FRCPC (Pediatrics), OGHA Trainer Mentor), Kaitlin Brulotte (RN, RP, PhD(c); OGHA Risk Health and Safety Director), Craig Azar (OGHA President)

Please read below for current recommendations, directives, and policies that affect our organization.

Please direct any COVID related questions/inquiries to: Risksafetyandwellness@ogha.org

Current Public Health Directives 

Sept. 22

Ottawa Public Health has cleared OGHA to resume hockey in a controlled and safe setting for our 2021-2022 season. In accordance with regulations, we will be publicly reporting on COVID-19 transmission in organized sport on their OPH Dashboard when two or more positive cases arise on a team.

OGHA teams are allowed to continue to practice, focusing on skills development while maintaining appropriate physical distancing for any on-ice activities. 

Continue to limit carpooling, limit team gatherings before/after practice, team meals, play or coach for only 1 team, mask use at all times unless vigorously exercising. The more we follow these

guidelines, the less cases we will see, which means more time on the ice.

Provide proof of your player’s vaccination (or a physician’s note equivalent) in order to participate in OGHA.

Athlete, Parent and Coaching Team Responsibilities

Thank you for continuing to fill out your RAMP screening forms and additional forms required by private arenas (i.e. Sensplex Google Form) prior to practices. Your player will not be allowed on the ice until all forms are completed.

Please arrive at scheduled times, keep masks on until helmets are on and go to designated areas for tying skates.

Parents are required to wear masks when inside facilities and when outside where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Keep in mind that as of Sept. 22nd, all arenas will require proof of vaccination that the door for entry.

Coaches and volunteers are also strongly recommended to wear cloth masks or face coverings on ice. 

What if I’m not sure if my child can attend practice?

If your child is unable to attend school as instructed by Ottawa Public Health, they similarly must not attend practice. Your child can return to practice following the same OPH guidelines about when they can return to school.  Parents can fill out an Attestation to Return to School following Illness to show they are able to return to practice.

If another family member is sick (parent/sibling), your child should not attend practice until that family member is confirmed not to be COVID-19 positive. 

If your child has tested positive for COVID-19, they will need to follow the current isolation guidelines (after their 10 day isolation period, or following a negative covid test if they are fully vaccinated and symptom free).  

If you are unsure whether your child can return to hockey, contact your team trainer and the OGHA Health, Safety and Wellness Director for further clarification.  

What if my child tests positive for Covid 19

If your athlete tests positive, we ask that you contact your team trainer/OGHA COVID-19 Response Team and they will work with Ottawa Public Health to determine if there are high risk contacts on the team.  High risk contacts will need to follow instructions provided by OPH. Low risk contacts are recommended to closely monitor for symptoms. 

Teams are required to respect your athlete’s health privacy.  Although the families on the team will likely need to be informed that another child has tested positive this will be done in an anonymous manner.  It will be your choice and right to decide if you want to share that it is your child.

If an athlete or coaching staff tests positive for COVID-19 case, Ottawa Public Health will contact the patient / parent  and ask them to contact any known  high risk contacts (this is typically any persons who were less than 2 meters/6 feet for more than 15 minutes). This contact is significant

and considered high risk it occurred in the 48 hours before a case became symptomatic. Subject to change based on OPH guidelines. 

Practice cancellations will be decided in conjunction with advice from Ottawa Public Health.  

OGHA Communications regarding COVID-19 updates

OGHA will inform members regarding major public health or provincial updates that have an impact on the hockey season through website updates, email communications and direct communications with coaches and trainers.  

Your OGHA is extremely appreciative of the cooperation of our parents and athletes during these challenging times.  We ask that you abide by public health recommendations both on and off the ice to keep our athletes healthy and to help make this a fun and successful season.

If you have any COVID-related questions, please reach out to COVID@ogha.info.

Sincerely,

Kaitlin Brulotte, OGHA Risk Health and Safety Director

Melise Keays MD, MSc, FRCSC

Celeste Fung MD CCFP(COE)

Sunita Nayar-Kingwell MD, MSc., FRCPC (Pediatrics), OGHA Trainer Mentor

Craig Azar (OGHA President)