WE'RE BACK...Get ready to hit the ice again the week of January 31st, 2022
Submitted By STMHA Board of Directors on Wed 01 26, 22
WE'RE BACK...Get ready to hit the ice starting January 31st, 2022!!!
Today marks the end to the current provincial pause mandate, however minor sports will not re-start until next Monday.
Thankfully, Mother Nature has been good to us with cold enough temperatures to maintain outdoor rinks (#ODR), so take advantage and get out on the ice this weekend as a head start!!!
STMHA has been working diligently with our governing hockey bodies (Alliance, OMHA, Shamrock and Local League) to update schedules and rescheduling games and practices for all age groups based on the re-opening of minor sports on Monday, January 31st, 2022!
Please be sure to check your team calendars, so that you're ready to hit the ice next week on your scheduled ice times. We have done out best to remove all calendar dates prior Monday; however, if you see scheduled ice times that were missed being removed prior to Monday, January 31st, 2022, please ignore them - the rinks are still closed.
Keep in mind - proof of vaccination and safety measures are still in full effect...see some of the recent updates below:
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1001327/ontario-taking-action-to-protect-against-omicron-variant
TORONTO —The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is taking action to further encourage vaccination and help limit the spread of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. These measures will help reduce the risk of transmission during the winter months and further encourage every eligible Ontarian to get their shot so that Ontario’s hospital capacity is protected.
“As we continue to learn more about the Omicron variant, we are taking additional measures to protect our progress as we head into the winter months,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Getting vaccinated and adhering to public health and workplace safety measures will continue to protect us and our loved ones against COVID and variants, but we won’t hesitate to continue to take swift action to ensure the continued health and safety of all Ontarians.”
Ontario’s weekly cases incidence rate is below the national average, and recent investments combined with high vaccination rates have meant hospital and intensive care unit capacity remains stable. In line with Ontario’s cautious approach throughout the pandemic and in light of evolving global evidence around the Omicron variant, the province is adjusting its COVID-19 response that will strengthen the province’s proof of vaccination requirements and enhance public health measures. This includes the following measures:
- Delaying the lifting of proof of vaccination requirements beyond January 17, 2022, aligned with the reopening plan that stipulated that doing so was contingent on the absence of concerning trends.
- Effective January 4, 2022, requiring the use of the enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code and the Verify Ontario app in settings where proof of vaccination is required. The QR code can be used digitally or by printing a paper copy. Individuals can download their enhanced certificate with QR code by visiting https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/.
- Strengthening the verification process for medical exemptions and clinical trial exemptions by requiring a certificate with a QR code. Organizations and businesses that are under the provincial proof-of-vaccination system will be advised to no longer accept physician notes as of January 10, 2022.
- Effective December 20, 2021, requiring proof of vaccination for youth aged 12 to 17 years participating in organized sports at recreational facilities.
- On the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Ontarians are strongly advised to limit their social gatherings and the number of gatherings they attend over the holiday season. Additional precautions should be taken if all individuals are not fully vaccinated or where vaccination status is unknown. Employers in all industries should make every effort to allow employees to work from home.