COVID-19 | Quantum Recreation | Boutique Canada Recreation Consulting Firm

Key Points from the Town Hall with Alberta Health on Alberta’s Open for Summer Plan

June 9, 2021Team QuantumEducationLeave a comment

The Alberta Recreation and Parks Association, in collaboration with the Alberta Health representatives, hosted a Town Hall on June 3rd to answer questions and give clarifications about the public health measures of the province’s Open for Summer Plan. Concerning this, we made a roundup of key points discussed for those who missed the town hall. Or you can watch the full recording here.

Alberta’s Open for Summer Plan

The Open for Summer Plan is a 3-stage plan tied to vaccinations and a declining hospitalization rate.

Stage 1, the stage we are currently in, was triggered by having 50% of Albertans 12+ received at least one vaccine dose, and hospitalizations are below 800 and declining.
Stage 2 reopening is expected to start on June 10th (earliest possible), with 60% of Albertans 12+ having received at least one dose of vaccine and hospitalizations below 500 and declining. For details on restrictions for Stage 2 of the Open for Summer Plan and updates, refer to the COVID-19 info on Alberta’s website.
Stage 3, where all restrictions are lifted, will have 70% of Albertans 12+ having received at least one dose of vaccine. The earliest effectivity for this stage could be late June or early July.

The town hall mainly discussed clarifications and questions about Stage 2 of Alberta’s Open for Summer Plan. See highlights below.

No restrictions mean that an activity is permitted. No masking is required. But there are certain places or exceptions (for example, when not participating in sports) where masking and distancing should still be observed.
Masks and physical distancing are mandatory in indoor settings for coaches and trainers. But if a demonstration is needed, like in an aquatic environment, the mask could come off. Wear masks and do social distancing where possible.
Contact tracing will continue. The Alberta Health representatives assigned to contact tracing will find those identified as close contact, whether in the drop-in or registered program.
Daily health screenings are great to keep in practice in the long term to protect one another.
It helps to differentiate between the sporting activity and the social activity. For example, in an aquatic environment where the 1/3 capacity applies, the sports activity is not bound by restrictions. But a family should still maintain distance from other families.
No distinction between adult and youth in Stage 2

Capacity Limit

Look at the setting. If there is a fire code, use it as a capacity parameter.
Spectators in indoor sports are tied to the fire code capacity with masking and social distancing.
For multiple games in a large field, there should be distancing between parties.
Indoor – look at the fire code capacity
Outdoor – look at seating capacity (with a large group of spectators)
Outdoor with no seating capacity – up to 150 people for public outdoor gatherings applies

Masking and Distancing

For indoor group fitness classes, 3-metre distancing is required. No mask except for the trainer.
Indoor – wear masks if moving through spaces, recommendation of 2-metre distancing.
Indoor participating in fitness activity or fitness class – 3-metre distancing
Outdoors – masks are not required, recommendation of 2-metre distancing.

Monitoring of the primary indicators is continuous to ensure that a proper trend is in place. A formal announcement, updates, guidance documents and order associated with Stage 2 will be out to the public at the soonest possible time. For the case of the 0-11 group, the best way to protect them and to ensure that we don’t go a step backward is to get vaccinated or immunized.

In stage 3, where restrictions are lifted, public health measures will serve as recommendations and best practices. This stage doesn’t mean the COVID is all gone but that we have a high level of community protection. Indoor social distancing, sanitation and staying home when sick are still highly recommended to keep in practice for everyone’s safety.

New Measures on the Step 2 of the Path Forward

Key Takeaways From The Town Hall With Alberta Health Representatives (Step 2)

March 16, 2021Team QuantumQ_recreation InformationLeave a comment

The ARPA organized a Town Hall with Alberta Health representatives to clarify and answer questions on the new measures of Step 2 of the Path Forward.

Some of the Step 2 updates that came into effect on March 1st were the further easement of indoor fitness activities and libraries’ restrictions. Libraries are now allowed at 15% capacity. Fitness activities with low-intensity exercises or low-intensity group fitness are also now permitted. The order for high-intensity activity from Step 1 is still in effect with the one-on-one training consideration. There is a different guidance for sporting activities. The indoor fitness guidelines should not be used for team sports.

Some of the leading indicators showed a slight indication of spread resulting in caution in the Step 2 easement. Ease of restrictions on other items was later given on the second week of March. These are easements for banquet halls, community halls, conference centres, hotels, collegiate sport and recreation activities. Additional easements for performance and recreation activities and community easements for retail up to 25% capacity are also included in Step 2.

Further clarifications on the new measures were discussed. To effectively assess each case, the intention should be clear. Is it for fitness or training?

In an aquatic environment, low-intensity fitness at 3 metres distance to other people or low-intensity fitness group at 3 metres apart in a class setting is permitted. There is a requirement, however, to wear masks. No exceptions. The sector is advised to design a program and make it low intensity with minimum splashing and doesn’t require the head to get underwater. One of the parameters considered was permanent walled-off areas, with their own space and ventilation. It is the ideal setup in a facility. Facility operators can also consult their local health inspector and talk about what might work in their facility.

Community halls are open for the activities that are permitted. Youth-based recreation programs, wedding ceremonies and funeral ceremonies can take place. From a recreation perspective, guides, scouts, 4-H groups can have their group activity. This easement is not intended for a workplace to book a meeting. Where possible, it should be done virtually. It is still not a good time to bring people together.

For the distinction between high intensity and low intensity, note the risk. The heavier and harder the breathing is, the more risk there is. By definition, “Low-intensity fitness includes activities not focused specifically on cardio, which have a low depth and rate of respiration.” Normally, if you are out of breath doing the activity, it’s high intensity, but it depends on the individual. Hence, it is not just the facility operators, but the accountability is in all of us in making sure the recent guidelines are followed.

Minimal time in dressing rooms is still advised. Anytime that can minimize those shared spaces would be better. For an indoor group fitness setting, there is no max of 10 in a room. The restriction will be how many people can get in the room with the appropriate distancing of 3 metres. Also, a face shield is not a substitute for masks.

In cases where an animal welfare issue is involved, like horseback riding, the activity is not permitted considering the idea of sport. But exercising the horse could go.

Most of the time, it always comes down to the intent and the age group. If it’s a permitted activity, it can take place in any setting unless stated otherwise. Next is intent and then the age group. The Alberta Health representatives are always monitoring the leading indicators to make sure trends are not moving in the wrong direction. You may refer to the Town Hall recording and the Enhanced Public Health Measures for additional information on the new measures of Step 2.

Key Takeaways from the Town Hall with Alberta Health Representatives

February 22, 2021Team QuantumQ_recreation InformationLeave a comment

The ARPA, in collaboration with the Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation (SPAR) Branch with Alberta Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women hosted a Town Hall with Alberta Health representatives last February 11, 2021. The discussion aims to provide updates, clarifications, and answers to questions regarding the Step 1 Guidance of the Path Forward about recreation and sport. We have made a rundown on some of the key information discussed in the Town Hall.

A change regarding minors, 18 years old and younger, can take part in any indoor group training for teen sports or other activities with up to a maximum of 10 in a group. This group is inclusive of coaches and trainers. Each member should adhere to the mandatory 3-meter physical distancing. Coaches and trainers must always wear a mask, but participants can remove theirs when engaged in a high-intensity physical activity.

Spectators are not allowed, but young participants that need parental support may be paired up with an adult. The pair, however, will be counted as two people. Another update is that a single-family or one household can rent a single pool or arena without a trainer. The key requirement is for the family to rent the entire facility, arena or pool.

In the idea of shared equipment, where possible, a single piece of equipment should be designated to one person. When there is a need to share equipment to perform the activity, exercise hand hygiene first before engaging in the activity, then clean and disinfect the shared equipment after. It would also be better to minimize the number of people sharing the same piece of equipment. The 3-meter distancing must still be maintained throughout the activity.

Two groups of 10 can occupy the same facility if the space can accommodate the distanced activity among all the participants. Movements while doing the activity must also be considered in ensuring that the facility can accommodate multiple groups. It is up to the facilitator and all the participants to ensure that the 3-meter physical distance is always observed. One can also be involved in more than one group of 10, like with coaches. However, this also increases their risk because they interact with more people.

In terms of expectation on the Step 2 Guidance, the 3-week period is a time in between to engage with stakeholders, analyze the data, see the impact of each step and make sure that the trend is going in the right direction before continuing on the next phase.

There is a continuous study on these new measures and steps, and the Alberta Health representatives ensure that any decisions and updates made will be shared to the public as soon as possible. The guidance will not fit perfectly in every situation, but the intention is to make it work in most of the settings. It is also important to note that each of us has a role to play to support the successful implementation of the guidance.

How to Sanitize a playground/playspace in a COVID-19 World?

May 7, 2020Team QuantumPlaygroundsLeave a comment

Sanitation of playground equipment

The Government of Canada is recommending the following diluted bleach mixture (as being effective against COVID-19): Diluted bleach prepared according to the instructions on the label, OR, in a ratio of:

1 teaspoon (5 mL) per cup (250 mL) or
4 teaspoons (20 mL) per litre (1000 mL)

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/disinfectants/covid-19.html

Ensure playground/playspace area is free of users.
While wearing personal protective equipment, use a cloth with the bleach solution and wipe down the most used touch points such as handrails, climber rungs, etc.
Wait till playground is dry and then permit use.

General cleaning of playground equipment

Start by reading playground manufacturers instruction manual for specific instructions.
Ensure playground/playspace area is free of users
Use a power washer on metals and plastics (be sure to start on the lowest / least powerful setting to help ensure no damage to the equipment) while wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) to avoid contaminated water droplets.
Use warm soapy water and a cloth for all other playground surfaces.
You can use a soft bristle brush can be used to get rid of dirt on plastics, get into crevices and to clean ropes.

Hopefully by working together to keep our playgrounds/playspaces and recreational facilities clean we can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and/or other communicable diseases.

For full version: https://www.cpsionline.ca/UserFiles/File/CPSI_forms/HowToSanitizePlaygroundEquipmentInACOVID-19World-r15.pdf from the Canadian Playground Safety Institute