Fall Training Update #3: Important information regarding COVID-19 Vaccinations

All;

As we get closer to being able to resume in-person training for our entire Squadron, there are important safety and Provincial regulations we must comply with. There will be more correspondence this week as we get more information about what the next month of training will look like for all cadets.

Proof of Vaccination regulation

The Province of Ontario’s has announced a new Proof of Vaccination regulation starting on September 22nd that requires all patrons over the age of 12 to be fully vaccinated in order to enter certain public establishments.

As our Squadron operates out of a public facility for all indoor training, we are required to comply; all cadets and visitors as of this Wednesday must show Proof of Vaccination or a written Medical Exemption document. This applies to all future indoor cadet training until the Province removes or modifies the regulation.

I do realize this may preclude certain individuals from participating. With that said, outdoor activities do not have a Proof of Vaccination requirement at this time. We are currently looking into planning some outdoor activities before the weather turns.

There is a Frequently asked questions section below that I hope will answer most questions.

Masks, Screening, and Contact Tracing

All visitors and cadets that enter our facility must wear a properly fitted, approved mask, complete a detailed screening, and sign a contact tracing form.

Based on current Standing Orders from the CJCR Formation Commander (Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers), there will be no exceptions to this rule for all in-person, indoor activities. We have extra masks at the front door and hand sanitizer for your convenience.

Safety

The safety and well-being of cadets in our care are our highest priority. If any cadet feels uncomfortable with in-person activities, they will not be penalized for not participating. Our goal is to run a fun, engaging, and safe program both in-person and online, and we will continue to offer a hybrid training environment for the foreseeable future.

For each in-person activity, we will have a designated COVID-19 Safety Officer ensuring all cadets, visitors, and staff comply with current regulations and ensure surfaces are properly disinfected at specified intervals during the activity.

Any questions, please feel free to reach out to me directly (email is below).

I hope everyone has a wonderful day,

Capt C. Bowman
christopher.bowman@cadets.gc.ca

Frequently asked questions

Some of the following answers have been taken verbatim from Ministry of Health “Proof of Vaccination Guidance for Businesses and Organizations under the Reopening Ontario Act”

What does that mean for you, the cadets?

That means that all cadets and visitors entering or using our facilities must show proof of full vaccination as of this Wednesday.

What about outdoor activities?

All outdoor activities will not require cadets to show proof of vaccination at this time. Based on the regulations, cadets/visitors will not be required to show Proof of Vaccination to use the bathroom or walk through an indoor facility. This will allow us to host outdoor activities conveniently at our facility without requiring proof of vaccination. This only applies to outdoor activities.

Where do I find my Proof of Vaccination documents?

https://covid19.ontariohealth.ca/

In addition to receiving a receipt on site at the time of vaccination, copies of a COVID-19 vaccination receipt can be downloaded or printed through the COVID-19 vaccination provincial portal or obtained by calling the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900.

What about cadets/visitors that cannot be vaccinated?

Patrons who provide a written document, completed and supplied by a physician (designated as “MD”) or by a registered nurse in the extended class (designated as “Registered Nurse (Extended Class)”, “RN(EC)”, “Nurse Practitioner” or “NP”) stating that the individual is exempt for a medical reason from being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and the effective time-period for the medical reason.

How does one receive a written document for a medical exemption?

Patrons with a medical exemption are required to present identification and a written document stating the individual is exempt for a medical reason to the business or organization. To review proof of a medical reason for not being vaccinated against COVID-19, the business or organization must ensure:

• The name of the person in the written documentation matches the identification provided.
• The physician’s or registered nurse in the extended class’s information is complete by including:
  • Name and contact information of the physician or registered nurse in the extended class;
  • Logo or letterhead identifying the physician or registered nurse in the extended class;
  • Statement that there is a medical reason for the individual’s exemption from being fully vaccinated against COVID-19; and
  • Any effective time-period for the medical reason which includes the date the patron is seeking access to the business or organization.

What does fully vaccinated mean?

An individual is considered fully vaccinated if they have received:

• The full series of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by Health Canada, or any combination of such vaccines, or
• One or two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized by Health Canada, followed by one dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine authorized by Health Canada, or
• Three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized by Health Canada; and
• They received their final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before providing the proof of being fully vaccinated.