The Greater Kingston Girls Hockey Association believes that engaging young women in hockey builds a commitment to healthy active living and a love of sport. Through sport, we empower girls and women by building self-confidence and leadership skills. As such, we are committed to continue to provide hockey opportunities for girls and women in the Greater Kingston area as long as it is safe and feasible to do so.

The resumption and continuation of hockey is contingent on all participants following the Return to Hockey Plan.

Our plans and protocols are informed and guided by:

• The Ontario Government Regulations
• The Ontario Women’s Hockey League Return to Hockey Protocols
• Direction and guidance provided by the City of Kingston, The Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health Department.

Lisa Gerslbeck - Covid Committee Chair/OWHA Rep
Jonathan Walker - VP of Admin
Tracy MacKenzie - Safety Director
Casey Held - Communications Director
Paul Held - Office Manager
Wendy Earle
Jeremie Bailey
Ron Murphy
Kevin Douglas
Angie Reed
Michelle Yeo

Contact: covidgkgha@gmail.com

GKGHA 2020-21 Return to Play Plan

Covid 19 Education Resources

• Ontario Public Health Public Resources
• KFL&A Public Health
• Hand Hygiene
• How to self-monitor
• How to self-isolate
• What is Covid-19
• Self-isolation Caregivers
• Ontario Covid-19 Online Self-assessment Tool
• Ontario Women’s Hockey Association's Website
• Physical Distancing
• How to clean a fabric mask

GKGHA Covid-19 Safety Protocols
An individual becomes unwell with symptoms of COVID-19 while participating in an Ice Wolves activity

• If an individual becomes unwell with symptoms of COVID-19, or if someone is aware of an individual who becomes unwell with symptoms of COVID-19, that individual must immediately stop participation in hockey activities.
• The individual should be isolated from all others in a well-ventilated area, or outside and provided with a non-medical face mask – where possible everyone should maintain a distance of 2 metres from the ill participant.
• The individual shall be sent home and instructed to contact public health and follow all guidelines regarding self-isolation and testing.
• The Rink Marshall will inform the facility in order to determine if any areas need to be closed off and/or require additional cleaning/disinfecting.
• The team trainer will notify GKGHA Safety Director Tracy MacKenzie by email to covidgkgha@gmail.com within 2 hours. Tracy Mackenzie will ensure that one of the following Covid-19 Committee members - Wendy Earle, Angie Reed or Michelle Yeo contact the individual or their parent/guardian to determine if next steps are being taken regarding testing/isolating.
• The Rink Marshall will inform GKGHA Covid-19 Committee immediately by emailing the information to covidgkgha@gmail.com In all cases this notification must happen within 2 hours.

An individual is tested for COVID-19/player or close contact-result pending

• Any individual who is part of a hockey program who has been tested for COVID-19 must not participate in hockey activities while waiting for the results of the test and not until a negative test result is received and with direction from public health.
• GKGHA Communications Rep Casey Held will supply KFL&A with tracking sheets and if requested by health unit committee members will work together to inform other participants who might have been in close contact with the individual.
• Any association/team members who were in close contact with the individual should not participate in hockey activities and should follow public health guidelines until the diagnosis of COVID-19 is ruled out by public health.

An individual tests positive for COVID-19 – player or close contact

• If an individual tests positive for COVID-19, YOU MUST inform a member of the GKGHA COVID-19 Committee as soon as possible, via email to covidgkgha@gmail.com. Contact information for the committee will be provided to all team coaches, trainers and managers.
• The COVID-19 Committee will work when requested with the facility and public health officials to assist in contact tracing. The Session Participation tracking sheets may be used to assist public health officials in informing other members who may have been in close contact with the individual.
• Any association/team members who were in close contact with the individual should not participate in hockey activities for 14 days and should follow public health guidelines regarding self-isolation and testing.
• GKGHA Communications Rep Casey Held will inform and work with the facility in the case of a positive COVID- 19 result and determine if any additional cleaning/disinfecting should be performed as per the facility’s guidelines.
• The OWHA Rep Lisa Gerlsbeck will inform OWHA of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.

Return to hockey activities following illness

• If no test was performed, or the COVID-19 test was negative, the individual may only return to hockey activities once they no longer have any symptoms of COVID-19 for 24 hours.

Return to hockey activities following COVID-19

• Following a positive COVID-19 test, an individual must follow all public health guidelines regarding return to activities and be cleared by public health before returning.

Modification/restriction/postponing or canceling of hockey development activities

• Based on the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, GKGHA is prepared to follow public health, municipal/provincial government, and sport recommendations regarding modifying/restricting/postponing or canceling activities.
• GKGHA has established a program cancellation policy.
• GKGHA members will be informed as soon as possible of any modifications/restrictions or cancellations.
• The GKGHA will keep any modifications and restrictions in place until advised that it is safe to resume activities by public health, government, or sport officials.

Public Health Guidelines
GKGHA members should follow all public health guidelines regarding COVID-19. These may include:

• Any association/team members who themselves have traveled outside of Canada, or have someone in their household who has traveled outside Canada must self-isolate and not participate in club/skating school activities for 14 days.
• Any individual who has been exposed to someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 should self-isolate and is not permitted to participate in hockey activities for 14 days.
• Any individual with symptoms of COVID-19 is not permitted to take part in hockey activities.
• Any individual who has someone in their household showing symptoms of COVID-19, should not participate in hockey activities.

Communications Plan

The following steps will be taken by the GKGHA Association to ensure effective communication is taking place with all players, parents, coaches, and other volunteers – prior to and during all stages of the 2020-21 season. GKGHA Communications Director Casey Held will be the communications lead.

• The GKGHA will ensure up to date contact information for all association/team members is on-file.
• The GKGHA will ensure up to date contact information for the association’s Board of Directors, Covid-19 Committee and team coaches is maintained and easily accessible through the GKGHA website.
• A specific Covid-19 section will be established on the GKGHA website and will include: a copy of this plan, communications and training materials for all Covid-19 protocols and procedures and contact information for board and committee.
• The GKGHA will use email, website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and all other methods to maximize communication.
• The GKGHA will seek to establish a regular pattern of communication with our members during the season, to keep them up to date on any developments. Host virtual town hall meetings when needed.

Health Screening and Contact Tracing

Anyone who attends a GKGHA activity, including player, coach, official, trainer or other volunteers will be required to complete a Health Screening. A copy of the questionnaire is attached. The Health Screening Questionnaire must be completed within 1 hour of the start of the activities.

Individuals who have not completed a Health Screening Questionnaire may not participate in any activities - no exceptions will be made.

• The Health Screening Questionnaires will be collected and accessed electronically.
• It will include participant’s name, role, contact information and screening status.

All data collected will be maintained in a secure online location and will only be disclosed where mandated by a government agency. Member information gathered for the purpose of the GKGHA Covid-19 protocols will not be used for any other purposes or released to any other organizations or individuals. Tracing information will be kept for 30 days and then deleted.