Covid-19 Response

April 19, 2022

General masking requirements were lifted on March 21, 2022.   Note that masks are still required in certain indoor settings, such as public transit.  Please see the provincial guidelines for more details.

 

March 6, 2022

Dear Out & Out Members:

Since public health and health care indicators continue to improve, the following provincial guidelines (public health and workplace safety measures) came into effect on March 1, 2022:

  • Capacity limits were lifted in all indoor public settings.
  • Proof of vaccination requirements were lifted, however businesses and organizations are still allowed to require proof of vaccination upon entry.
  • Other protective measures, such as mask/face covering requirements and active/passive screening of patrons, continue to be in place.
  • Public health units can deploy local and regional responses based on local health indicators.

What does this mean for Out & Out members?

  • Activity leaders should set capacity limits based on keeping members safe, but having fun too.
  • Activity leaders can choose to ask for proof of vaccinations, if they wish.
  • Carpooling will be at the discretion of activity leaders.  It is advisable to keep windows slightly open.
  • Face masks are still mandatory for indoor gatherings and carpooling.
  • Screening is still encouraged for indoor gatherings and carpooling.
  • These rules may change, region by region (public health region).  Activity leaders - please be aware of the local rules in effect in the location of your activity.

Sincerely,
The 2022 Out & Out Steering Committee

 

February 17, 2022, the limits on social gatherings were increased.   We are continuing to follow provincial guidelines.

  • Outdoor social gatherings are limited to 100 people.
  • Indoor social gatherings are limited to 50 people.

 

Further update... on   January 31, 2022,   the limits on social gatherings have been increased.

  • Outdoor social gatherings are limited to 25 people.
  • Indoor social gatherings are limited to 10 people.

 

Update... on   January 5, 2022,   the limits on gatherings were changed to:

  • Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events for up to 10 people.
  • Indoor social gatherings and organized public events for up to 5 people.

 

January 1, 2022  ...  Happy New Year!

Dear Out & Out Members:

We are continuing to follow provincial guidelines.  It is possible that these guidelines will change quickly.  We expect trip leaders to change or cancel their activity, to match the guidelines, as of the date of the activity.

For the moment, this is a reminder...  If you are leading an indoor in-person activity in your home, we strongly recommend doing a “covid check-in” before each person enters your home.  For example, on your front porch, you could:

  • Ask each person if they have any cold-like symptoms, or covid symptoms.  If yes, do not allow them in.
  • Ask each person to show you their vaccination passport to confirm they are fully vaccinated.
  • Lastly, here is a “self-assessment” tool that will be helpful to come up with more questions for the check-in process: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/

Have fun while staying safe.
Your 2021 & 2022 Steering Committees

 

December 19, 2021

Dear Members:

The Club will transition to the new Ontario Covid Restrictions, which began on Sunday December 19.  We will endeavour to ensure that we are in compliance, and more importantly, that our members remain safe.  We ask all members to maintain proper adherence to the Provincial guidelines.

The following is permitted with restrictions:

  • Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events for up to 25 people.
  • Indoor social gatherings and organized public events for up to 10 people.

Activities often involve using a restaurant or facility.  You might find the below 4 points helpful.  More information is available from the Provincial guidelines.

  • Indoor dining with limits to 10 people per table.  However, restaurants must limit capacity to permit physical distancing of 2 metres between tables and other restrictions.  Buffets are permitted.
  • Indoor fitness classes are allowed with a 50% capacity limit and other restrictions.
  • Indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities are allowed with a 50% capacity limit and other restrictions.
  • Outdoor sports and recreational fitness facilities are open.  Capacity and other restrictions exist for spectators.

*** Please note that proof of vaccination must be shown, wherever required by Provincial guidelines.  For activities that fall outside the scope of provincial guidelines, requiring proof of vaccination is entirely at the discretion of the activity leader.

Proof of vaccination must be proved using enhanced vaccine certificates with QR codes.  Click here for more information (https://covid-19.ontario.ca/proof-covid-19-vaccination)

Participation in in-person events, and leading of in-person events, is entirely at the discretion of members.  Please bring appropriate PPE, if necessary.  Please contact the Steering Committee if you are uncertain or have any additional questions.

Sincerely,
The 2021 Out & Out Steering Committee

 

October 15, 2021 - Vaccine Passports (UPDATED)

The Steering Committee has reviewed the recent Ontario Human Rights Commission’s (OHRC) “Policy Statement on Covid-19 Vaccine Mandates and Proof of Vaccine Certificates”, and has received legal counsel on this matter.  Legal counsel has advised us that: “You have a duty to try to keep your activities safe.”

Accordingly, the following policy will tentatively commence on the date the province confirms the enactment of the Vaccine Passport, which is currently scheduled for October 22nd, 2021:

At the sole discretion of the Activity Leader, proof of fully vaccinated status may be required in order to participate in (any or part of) the event.  We recommend that the activity leader state if proof of vaccination status is required in their activity posting.  The member will be required to demonstrate proof of fully vaccinated status, in accordance with provincial guidelines.

 

Please note the following:

  • Requiring the participation of only fully vaccinated members is at the sole discretion of the activity leader.
  • The Activity Leader may decline the participation of a member should they not be able to demonstrate proof of fully vaccinated status.
  • Accommodations for those with medical exemptions will be the responsibility, and at the discretion of, the activity leader.  If an accommodation is granted, all participants in the activity should be notified beforehand.
  • These guidelines are subject to change in keeping with the spirit of the provincial guidelines.

The Steering Committee will continue to review and implement changes to this policy as necessary.

The 2021 Steering Committee.

 

July 16, 2021

Dear Members:

The Club will transition to Step 3 of Ontario's reopening plan, on Friday July 16.  We will endeavour to ensure that we are in compliance, and more importantly, that our members remain safe.  We ask all members to maintain proper adherence to the Provincial guidelines.

The following is permitted with restrictions:

  • Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events for up to 100 people.
  • Indoor social gatherings and organized public events for up to 25 people.

Activities often involve using a restaurant or facility.  You might find the below 4 points helpful.  More information is available from the Provincial guidelines.

  • Indoor dining with no limits to the number of people per table.  However, restaurants must limit capacity to permit physical distancing of 2 metres between tables and other restrictions.  Buffets are permitted.
  • Indoor fitness classes are allowed with a 50% capacity limit and other restrictions.
  • Indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities are allowed with a 50% capacity limit and other restrictions.
  • Outdoor sports and recreational fitness facilities are open.  Capacity and other restrictions exist for spectators.

*** Please note that the Club is unable to verify the vaccination status (if any) of club members.  Participation in in-person events, and leading of in-person events, is entirely at the discretion of members.  Please bring appropriate PPE, if necessary.  Please contact the Steering Committee if you are uncertain or have any additional questions.

Sincerely,
The 2021 Out & Out Steering Committee

Please read the following message carefully to understand how Out & Out will be rolling out modified in-person activities.

Activity Leaders - Location

Activity leaders, you are responsible for knowing the Provincial guidelines at the location of your activity.  It is possible that at some point in time, the Province will have different guidelines between neighbouring communities.  Circumstances can change quickly.  If the Province changes the in-person rules for the location of the activity you are leading, effective on your activity date, then you are responsible for cancelling the activity promptly since it is no longer compliant with the Provincial guidelines.

No Guests Allowed

Only members in good standing who have signed the online Code of Conduct and the Waiver and Indemnity will be able to attend events.

Why?

In the effort to keep the membership safe and healthy and to protect the Club, it is mandated by the Club’s insurer and recommended by legal counsel that only those who have agreed to the Code of Conduct and the Waiver and Indemnity can attend Out & Out events and activities.

Registering for Activities and Taking Attendance are Mandatory

Members must RSVP for any activity they wish to attend.  Activity leaders must confirm to members who RSVP if they may attend the event and take attendance to ensure that only registered members participate.

Why?

The reason is two-fold.  First, the Club insurer and legal counsel have informed the Club that it must ensure that only those who have signed the Club Waiver and Indemnity may attend activities.  Second, for contact tracing purposes, it is critical to track all people who attend Club activities in the event that an attending member tests positive for COVID-19.

What does this new RSVP process look like?

  • If you see an activity posted that you want to sign up for, email the activity leader listed on the posting by the registration deadline.
  • The activity leader will reply confirming if you are signed up or not for the activity.
  • At the activity, the leader will take attendance at the beginning to ensure that only those who have a confirmed RSVP for the activity are in attendance.  Anyone who did not register will not be able to stay and participate in the activity.  Additionally, no guests are permitted to attend a Club activity.
  • Activity leaders must keep the names and contact information of all activity attendees for 14 days after the activity has finished.   This is mandatory, since the public health unit may need to perform contact tracing.

Attending Activities is at Your Own Risk

All members attend activities at their own risk including the possibility of being exposed to COVID-19.

All members confirmed to attend an event should self-assess for COVID-19 exposure prior to attending.  If you answer yes to any of the following statements, you should cancel your RSVP and NOT attend the activity.

  • I am currently experiencing any of these symptoms that are new and not related to seasonal allergies or pre-existing medical conditions diagnosed by a qualified healthcare provider:  Fever (feeling hot to the touch, a temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius/100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher);  Chills, Cough that's new or worsening (continuous, more than usual);  Barking cough, making a whistling noise when breathing (croup);  Shortness of breath (out of breath, unable to breathe deeply);  Sore throat(not related to seasonal allergies or other known causes or conditions);  Difficulty swallowing;  Runny nose(not related to seasonal allergies or other known causes or conditions);  Stuffy or congested nose(not related to seasonal allergies or other known causes or conditions);  Lost sense of taste or smell;  Pink eye(conjunctivitis);  Headache that’s unusual or long lasting;  Digestive issues like nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain (not related to other known causes or conditions);  Muscle aches that are unusual or long lasting;  Extreme tiredness that is unusual (fatigue, lack of energy);  Falling down often; or sluggishness or lack of appetite.
  • I have travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days (This does not include essential workers who cross the Canada-US border regularly).
  • I have been asked to self-isolate (stay at home) by a doctor, health care provider, or public health unit in the last 14 days.
  • In the last 14 days, I have either:  tested positive for COVID-19, or been in close physical contact with someone who recently tested positive for COVID-19.   Close physical contact means:  being less than 2 metres away in the same room, workspace, or are living in the same home.
  • In the last 14 days, I have been in close physical contact with a person who either:  is currently sick with new COVID-19 symptoms (like a cough, fever, or difficulty breathing)?  or returned from outside Canada in the last 2 weeks with new COVID-19 symptoms (like a cough, fever, or difficulty breathing)?   Close physical contact means:  being less than 2 metres away in the same room, workspace, or are living in the same home.

When you attend an event, ensure you:

Note that the Club is unable to verify the vaccination status (if any) of club members.  Participation in in-person events, and leading of in-person events, is entirely at the discretion of members.

Activity Leaders Can Ask Non-Complying Members to Leave an Activity

If a member attending an activity does not adhere to health and safety protocols outlined by the Club and by the activity leader (social distancing, etc.), an activity leader has the authority to ask the member to leave the activity.

Why?

Members must adhere to health and safety rules and processes.  This is part of the Code of Conduct signed by all members in good standing.  Failure to follow these health and safety measures can result in a suspended or revoked membership.

Next Steps and Thank you

Modified in-person activities are being resumed, as determined by Ontario's Reopening Plan.  We look forward to seeing Club members in person again in a safe and responsible manner.  In the meantime, we would like to thank the many members who led activities online during the lockdown and who continue to do so.  Thank you for giving your time, sharing your creativity, and for creating a virtual space for community during a very challenging time for all of us!

It is also important to recognize the work of the Steering Committee and the other member volunteers who help with administering the Club.  The process of reintroducing in-person activities requires careful planning and additional time and effort from these volunteers. Thank you to these dedicated members for their ongoing commitment to Out & Out.

The Out & Out Club Steering Committee