Further information on COVID-19 restrictions announced on Sept 15

16 September, 2021

MEMO:  CLUB UPDATE – FOLLOW UP (SEPTEMBER 15th, 2021 – MEMO)
FROM:   Danny Da Costa, Chief Executive Officer
TO:        OSTEN & VICTOR Alberta Tennis Centre Members, Program Participants and Staff

DATE:    September 16, 2021

 


Dear Member, Program Participant and Staff Member,
 
I am writing to follow up on last night’s memo (September 15th, 2021) regarding the Public Health restrictions announced by the Government of Alberta. Details can be found here.
 
EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 16th: 

  • Indoor activities are permitted, with requirements for two-metre physical distancing and masking where possible, and symptom screening for participants.
  • Youth aged 18 and under are not required to mask or maintain physical distancing during a physical activity, such as a team sport.
  • Spectator attendance is limited to one-third fire code capacity.  Attendees must be masked and ensure physical distancing between different households or an individual who lives alone and their two close contacts. NOTE: Only fully-vaccinated members, program participants and guests will be permitted on the mezzanine level.
  • There are no restrictions on outdoor activities.

 
EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 20th for any indoor venues (sport facilities are included in this category), these are the overarching measures

  • Total attendance is limited to one-third fire code capacity
  • Attendees are only permitted to attend with their household or two close contacts for those living alone. 
  • Attendees must be masked and have two-metre physical distancing between households.

 
Our facility is eligible to implement the Restrictions Exemption Program. This program includes and applies to eligible Albertans aged 12 and older.  
 
BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS FOR THE RESTRICTIONS EXEMPTION PROGRAM – Effective September 20, 2021
The ATC will implement the Restrictions Exemption Program and must continue to follow indoor mandatory masking requirements. The ATC can operate without capacity or operating restrictions if we require people aged 12 and over to show one of the following:

  • proof of vaccination
    • partial vaccination (one dose) accepted September 20 to October 25 if received 2 weeks before time of service
    • full vaccination (two doses) required after October 25
  • proof of a privately paid negative PCR or rapid test within 72 hours of service (tests from AHS or Alberta Precision Laboratories are not allowed)
  • documentation of a medical exemption

 
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Yesterday’s announcement means that anyone aged 12 and over must be vaccinated to participate in ATC programming or to access our facility, beginning September 20th, 2021.
 
Fully vaccinated players will be able to make use of the ATC’s programs and services including but not limited to:

  • Booking tennis courts for regular play
  • Participating in Club Programming including leagues, competitions
  • Use of facilities: Fitness, Food Service (which is slated to open soon) and locker-rooms

 
Any non-vaccinated members, program participants or guests will be given access to the ATC provided they can show proof of a negative test result.

  • Tests must be privately paid COVID-19 PCR or rapid tests completed within 72 hours.
  • Tests must not be from Alberta Health Services nor Alberta Precision Laboratories.

 
ALBERTA TENNIS CENTRE - COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY:
 
Since the onset of the pandemic, the OSTEN & VICTOR Alberta Tennis Centre (ATC) has followed all three levels of government laws and guidelines, Public Health directives, legal advice, and sport association guidance to protect our Centre and the tennis community. We have also consulted with other clubs in the province, with Tennis Alberta, Tennis Canada and Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Alberta (SPAR) when making policy decisions.
 
The health and safety of our members, program participants and staff remain our top priority. For the past 18 months, the ATC has provided a safe place to play and enjoy the sport of tennis. During this time we have not had any COVID-19 transmission in our facility.  We have also been a national leader in advocating for the safe return to play. Simply put, tennis is a safe sport to play during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, governments and businesses across the world have begun implementing vaccination passports to combat the pandemic's 4th wave.
 
As you are aware, the Centre has also been shut down on three different occasions which impacts the physical, mental, and social well-being of our playing community and adversely affects the livelihood of our staff. We do not wish to be shut down a 4th time and that is why we are implementing a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. Our COVID-19 Vaccination Passport is in alignment with yesterday’s announcement from the Government of Alberta which allows businesses to be eligible to enter the Province's Restrictions Exemption Program (REP) (vaccine passport) beginning September 20th. The REP gives businesses the opportunity to operate and provide services to fully vaccinated Albertans.  As communicated yesterday, the ATC will enter this program to operate its business effectively. Failing to do so would render the Centre unable to provide meaningful services to our members, program participants and the public.
 
Our Centre’s demographics, ranging from young children who are not yet eligible for vaccination to members who are seniors or who may be immunocompromised, is an important consideration in developing our COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. As always, we are led by all three levels of government, public health authoritie,s as well as sport governing bodies in developing our facility usage guidelines and protocols. 

With all of this in mind, a Mandatory Vaccination Policy is an important next step for the ATC in order to maintain our safety commitment, to do our part to stop the community spread of COVID-19, and to ensure compliance with Government requirements. 
 
THE POLICY STATEMENT
Effective September 20, 2021, the Alberta Tennis Centre will require proof of full vaccination (2 doses) from all members, guests, employees, and contract professionals and vendors born before the year 2009 (12 years of age and above) to gain access to the ATC. This policy will remain in place until further notice.
 
A fully vaccinated individual is defined as a person who is 14 days (2 weeks) past receiving their second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series or a single dose of a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine series. The vaccine series must be approved by Health Canada (Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson).
 
In addition to our Vaccination Policy, members, guests and staff will be required to continue following all existing ATC and Public Health & Safety policies such as the mandatory mask policy, daily health screening, physical distancing, all department-specific Safe Play policies, and any other public health measures instituted by the Province, the City, and/or local Public Health Units.
 
NEXT STEPS AND ACTION PLAN – As of September 20th, 2021
All active ATC members, guests, program participants, full-time & part-time employees, independent contractors and vendors must provide documentation of vaccination and/or exemption status (when/if applicable) to Member Services Desk (personnel) before and/or starting on September 20th, 2021. This information will only need to be provided once and will be secured separately from all other information to ensure privacy and security. The ATC Member Services Team will verify each vaccination record and update the member, program participant and guests record in our Club Automation System.
 
PROCESS FOR PROOF OF VACCINATION
Starting on September 20, 2021, all patrons 12 years of age and older who wish to gain access to the ATC are required to show one of the following documents at the Member Services Desk upon entry into our facility.
 

  1. Acceptable paper records of COVID-19 vaccination
    1. The immunization record you received at your vaccination appointment. If your copy was lost, you can request a copy through your immunization provider:
      1. Pharmacy or physician's office – contact the location you received your vaccination
      2. AHS Clinic – call 811 to request a copy of your record mailed to you
    2. The immunization record shown on, downloaded from or printed from MyHealth Records
      1. MyHealth Records: https://myhealth.alberta.ca/myhealthrecords
  2. Acceptable digital copy of the COVID-19 vaccination:
    1. The digital copy must be downloaded from the MyHealth Records
  3. Valid documentation of a medical exemption obtained from an authorizing health professional
  4. Proof of a privately paid negative PCR or rapid test within 72 hours of service (tests from AHS or Alberta Precision Laboratories not allowed)

Patrons under 12 years old are not requirehttps://myhealth.alberta.ca/myhealthrecordsd to show the above documents to enter the facility. However, the parents/guardians are required to show one of the above documents to gain access to the facility (including drop-off and pick-up).

Once you have shown your proof of immunization at the Member Services Desk, the staff will update your club profile to confirm that you have provided proof of immunization. This information will remain private and confidential. Only ATC staff will be able to see this information for facility access purposes and we will not share this information.

NOTE: Patrons who fail to provide one of the above documents will be denied access to the facility until one of the above documents is provided and verified by the Member Services Desk staff.

HOW TO OBTAIN & SUBMIT YOUR DOCUMENTS
 
Step 1: Obtain Your Documentation
To obtain vaccine receipts, please follow the instructions below:

  • IF you have an electronic copy of your vaccine receipts, either download/open & save the attachment or take a screenshot of the email confirmation. Save these on your device.
  • IF you have a hard copy of your receipts, bring your hard copy to the ATC.
  • IF you do not have a copy of your receipts and were vaccinated in Alberta, visit the provincial My Health Records platform
  • IF you have received a valid full dose vaccination outside of Alberta and you are an Alberta resident, you must provide valid proof from the province or country of origin.

 
Step 2: Submit Your Documentation to ATC

  • Submit your vaccination documentation & confirmation to the Member Services Attendant who will verify and record your vaccination record in our Club Automation software.

 
CHECKING-IN & CHECKING-OUT: Effective September 20th, 2021
NOTE:  The checking-in and checking-out process at ATC will begin September 20 (after providing proof of immunization):
 
Use your mobile app’s check-in barcode

  1. Open your Alberta Tennis Centre Mobile App
  2. Stay on Homepage
  3. A barcode should show up at the top of the page
  4. Scan this barcode at the entrance or let the MSD staff scan it to check you in

 
Use your mobile app to check out from ATC

  1. Open your Alberta Tennis Centre Mobile App
  2. Stay on Homepage
  3. A barcode should show up at the top of the page
  4. Scan this barcode at the exit or let the MSD staff scan it to check you out

 
This is what your barcode will look like




Checking in with the MSD staff without using the mobile app

  1. When you arrive at the facility, mention your name to the MSD staff and ask to be checked in
  2. The MSD staff will manually check you in the system

Checking out with the MSD Staff without using the mobile app

  1. When you arrive at the facility, mention your name to the MSD staff and ask to be checked in
  2. The MSD staff will manually check you out of the system

Download the Alberta Tennis Centre Mobile App through Apple App Store or Google Play!
Simply look up “Alberta Tennis Centre” to find the app that is powered by Club Automation.
Visit https://youtu.be/zrrRIq9yIrY for the introduction video about the mobile app.


 
NON-VACCINATED ACCESS: MEMBERS, PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS & GUESTS
Members who are unable or unwilling to provide proof of being fully vaccinated by September 20th, 2021 will not be permitted access to the ATC until such time that they can provide valid proof of vaccination.
 
EXEMPTIONS TO THIS POLICY FOR MEMBERS / PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS, GUESTS AND STAFF
Please refer to the most recent Chief Medical Officer Record of Decision – CMOH Order 40-2021 Part B, Section 4.3 – 4.5.
 
NOTE: Currently there is no specific or definitive medical exemption policy relating to COVID vaccination. Medical Exemptions require further clarification and may be subject to change at any time. Please refer to the Government of Alberta website for regular updates and changes in policy.
 
If members, program participants, guests, employees, or independent contractors request an exemption for medical reasons, the ATC requires the following to assess the request:

  • A completed Request Exemption Form (you can find the ATC Medical Exemption request form here)
  • A Doctor’s Letter that includes the following:
    • That they have a medical condition to which the COVID vaccine is contraindicated.
    • Indicate if it is a permanent condition or provide a timeline if it is a temporary condition.
  • The medical exemption must be written by a Doctor or Medical Professional licensed in the Province of Alberta, Professional Registration number and signature of the authorizing health professional and include their clinic name, phone number, email and complete address.
  • The date on which the written confirmation was provided.
  • For greater certainty, although the medical exception letter must verify that a health condition applies, the medical exemption letter must not include specific information about the health condition.

 
PROTECTION OF PERSONAL AND HEALTH INFORMATION
All personal information requested by the ATC to prove the need for an accommodation will be securely stored in the Club’s records and will not be used for any other purpose than to review the proof of vaccination. All personal information requested by the ATC to prove full vaccination status will be securely stored in the ATC’s records and will not be used for any other purpose than to determine eligibility to access the ATC.
 
REFUNDS & CREDITS FOR NON-VACCINATION OR NON-COMPLIANCE
Any program participant or member who is not vaccinated and/or refuses to participate in ATC programming or membership due to their vaccination status will be eligible for the following:
 

  • Membership: Any members who are not vaccinated and do not wish to participate at the ATC will have their membership terminated. No refunds will be issued. All future payments will be stopped.
  • Program Participants:  Any member or program participant who is not able to participate due to their vaccination status will be removed from the program and program credit will be provided.

 
FINAL THOUGHTS
The policy will be reviewed regularly and will be updated as the situation evolves. In the event, Public Health authorities recommend a further vaccination obligation, all members, program participants, guests and staff will be advised, and this vaccination policy will be updated to include the further obligations.
 
We understand you may be reluctant to share your vaccination receipt to the ATC, however, access to our Centre is now mandated by the Province as part of the Restrictions Exemption Program.
 
We ask our members, program participants, guests, and staff to understand the pressures we are all facing during the pandemic. Please be kind and respectful of our staff. Any belligerent or aggressive behaviour or the refusal to obey public health orders will not be tolerated in our Centre. Any member, program participant or guest who displays behaviour not in keeping with the Centre’s values will have their access terminated from the ATC.
 
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at (587) 393 1600 or via email: info@albertatenniscentre.ca

 
Sincerely,
 
Danny Da Costa
Chief Executive Officer
OSTEN & VICTOR Alberta Tennis Centre
Tel: (587) 393 1604
Email: ddacosta@albertatenniscentre.ca