August 17, 2020

Read the guidance for facilities for sports and recreational fitness activities.

What businesses or organizations are affected by these amendments and guidance?

The Ontario government is supporting the safe return to amateur sports by allowing many facilities for sports and recreational activities to open for wider use so that residents can get fit and healthy after the COVID-19 outbreak.

If sport and recreational facilities can operate in accordance with the plan approved by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, they may have up to 50 patrons in each indoor sport or fitness room in their facility, subject to all persons maintaining at least two metres physical distance

These changes apply to facilities where sports and recreational fitness activities take place that have the space and layout to have multiple indoor sport and fitness rooms. Examples of facilities that may benefit from this change, subject to them meeting the provisions of the guidance/plan include gymnasiums, health clubs, community centres, multi-purpose facilities, arenas, exercise studios, yoga and dance studios and other fitness facilities.

For multi-purpose facilities and community centres, such as a municipal facility or YMCA, the guidance will apply to their sports and recreational fitness amenities. Because those facilities might have other amenities, such as child care, cafeteria or food, health or medical, social services programming; other provisions of O. Reg. 364/20 (Rules for areas in Stage 3) may apply.

What constitutes the space or room where the limits of up to 50 people can apply?

Most facilities have multiple spaces or rooms, to support concurrent exercise classes, such as a dance or yoga studio, a gymnasium, or a rink.

Spaces that are large and open can use non-permeable barriers to divide a bigger space into smaller spaces. Examples include sports courts or places where you might find exercise equipment.

Every person who engages in sports or a recreational fitness activity in the space or room, other than a team sport, must maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person at all times during the activity.

If a facility has the appropriate spaces – the per room limit is up to 50 as long as physical distancing requirements met.

Facilities should refer to the Guidance for facilities for sports and recreational fitness activities during COVID-19 for more information and advice on how to safely open their facilities for wider use.

Can classes in gyms operate at the same time as people lifting weights, in a different space?

If a sport or recreational facility operates in accordance with the COVID-19 Guidance: Facilities for sports and recreational fitness activities plan, they may have up to 50 patrons in each indoor sport or fitness room in their facility, subject to all persons maintaining at least two metres physical distance.

If the facility does not operate in accordance with the plan, the number of individuals permitted in the area containing weights or exercise machines at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of two metres from every other person but cannot exceed 50. The facility may also have up to 50 members in a class, organized program or organized activity provided they can maintain a physical distance of up to two metres from other persons.

Can multiple team sports take place in the same sport and recreation facility at the same time?

The province has developed the Guidance for facilities for sports and recreational fitness activities during COVID-19, which provides guidance for facilities and sport and recreation activities in regions in Stage 3.

Every person who engages in sports or a recreational fitness activity, other than a team sport, must maintain a physical distance of at least two meters from every other person at all times during the activity.

Team sports may only be practiced or played within the facility if they do not allow for physical contact between players or if they have been modified to avoid physical contact between the players.

As per the guidance document, more than one team sport is permitted to take place in sport and recreational fitness facilities, as long as the facility operates with gathering limits for each space and the rules for sports in O. Reg. 364/20: Rules for Areas in Stage 3.

We will continue to work with the sport sector to develop protocols and guidance which will ease restrictions if and when it is safe to do so. This is in keeping with Ontario’s gradual, incremental approach to ensure the safe reopening of the province.

Can I use facility equipment in Stage 3?

Any equipment that an open facility rents or provides to users of the facility must be cleaned and disinfected between each use or, where used in a game or practice, at the end of play.

Who did you work with to develop this guidance?

Collaboration will continue to be essential for Ontario’s successful economic recovery.

In consultation with the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the province has worked with gyms, health clubs, community centres, and other recreational facilities across Ontario to develop appropriate controls to safely permit more patrons – and more employees – into their buildings.

We will continue to work with the sport sector on their safe return to sport, and ease restrictions if and when it is safe to do so. This is in keeping with Ontario’s gradual, incremental approach to ensure the safe reopening of the province.

Why is it safe to increase capacity limits now when it wasn’t when Stage 3 was first announced? Has the CMOH approved this decision?

Our number one priority remains the health and well-being of the people of Ontario – including our economic health. As the province gradually enters Stage 3, the government is promoting a safe approach to reopening businesses to boost Ontario’s economic and social recovery.

The capacity limits remain the same – 50 indoors and 100 outdoors with physical distancing. This change is permitting application of the capacity limits on a per room basis within sport or recreational facilities with public health measures and restrictions in place to protect patrons and workers.

In consultation with the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the province has worked with gyms, health clubs, community centres, and other recreational facilities across Ontario to develop appropriate controls to safely permit more patrons – and more employees – into their buildings.

We will continue to work with the sport sector on their safe return to sport, and ease restrictions if and when it is safe to do so. This is in keeping with Ontario’s gradual, incremental approach to ensure the safe reopening of the province.

Is the plan allowing more spectators? If so, why?

O.Reg 364/20 already includes provisions for spectators.

Each spectator area such as bleachers in an indoor gymnasium or ice rink can have up to 50 spectators subject to all spectators maintaining at least two metres physical distance from every other person at all times, unless otherwise stated, in accordance with O. Reg. 364/20: Rules for Areas in Stage 3.

The provision for spectators is intended for one spectator area for each sport or fitness room. The approved guidance and plan is not intended for gatherings larger than 50 people indoors or 100 people outdoors for a live sports event.

Will facility staff, coaches, officials or trainers be included in the capacity limits?

The capacity limits relate to members of the public, not employees. Every person who engages in sports or recreational fitness activity at the facility, other than a team sport, must maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person at all times during the activity.

While conducting activities within the facility, patrons must abide by the physical distancing requirements as set out in O. Reg. 364/20: Rules for Areas in Stage 3.

Now that these facilities are open, what kind of activities can you do?

Ontario has worked with local businesses and organizations to provide more opportunities for Ontarians to stay fit, to learn and play sports and participate in other activities.

This amendment means local organizations who can do so with appropriate safety standards and who follow the Guidance for facilities for sports and recreational fitness activities during COVID-19 will be able to allow up to 50 people per room to participate in a variety of activities, including:

• a Zumba® class
• Learning a language
• Learning to cook
• Swimming lessons
• Using the weightlifting room
• Playing a non-contact sport

Does this mean sport and recreation leagues can also increase the 50-person limit?

No. Leagues must contain no more than 50 participants total and cannot play against teams outside of the league, or if participants in a league exceed 50, the league must divide into smaller groups of no more than 50. This prevents teams in different groups from playing against one another, or against teams outside of the league, which is an important public health measure for reducing transmission risk and would support contact tracing in the event of a case of COVID-19.

Can my indoor sports league use these facilities?

Practice and play for all indoor and outdoor sports may resume so long as:

• Every person who engages in sports or a recreational fitness activity, other than a team sport, must maintain a physical distance of at least two meters from every other person at all times during the activity.
• Team sports may only be practiced or played within the facility if they do not allow for physical contact between players or if they have been modified to avoid physical contact between the players.

Find sector-specific guidelines and return-to-sport resources to help facilities, trainers and athletes safely return to sport and recreation activities in Ontario at Ontario.ca/return to play. More

Does the “at least two metres” restriction apply to sports?

As per the Stage 3 regulation, every person who engages in sports or a recreational fitness activity at the facility, other than a team sport, must maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person at all times during the activity.

The rules for team sports in the Stage 3 regulation do not require players to be at least two metres apart at all times, however it is required that sport rules are modified to avoid contact.

We will continue to work with the sport sector on their safe return to sport, and ease restrictions if and when it is safe to do so. This is in keeping with Ontario’s gradual, incremental approach to ensure the safe reopening of the province.

What does the plan say about sports?

The province continues to work with sport organizations across Ontario on how to safely play sports during the pandemic.

Ontarians were permitted to play sports in Stage 3.

Individuals and team sports are permitted in facilities for sport and recreational fitness, in accordance with indoor and outdoor gathering limits for each space and the rules for sports in O. Reg. 364/20: Rules for Areas in Stage 3.

As per the regulation, every person who engages in sports or a recreational fitness activity at the facility, other than a team sport, must maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person at all times during the activity.

Organized sports teams such as leagues must contain no more than 50 participants total and not play against teams outside of the league, or if participants in a league exceed 50, the league must divide into smaller groups of no more than 50. This prevents teams in different groups from playing against one another, or against teams outside of the league.

We will continue to work with the sport sector to develop protocols and guidance which will ease restrictions if and when it is safe to do so. This is in keeping with Ontario’s gradual, incremental approach to ensure the safe reopening of the province.

Do facilities still need to submit a plan for it to be approved before they can open?

Facilities that are able to operate in accordance with the Stage 3 regulation and the Guidance for facilities for sports and recreational fitness activities during COVID-19 will not need to submit a plan prior to reopening.

Facilities must operate in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, guidance and public health advice. Facilities unable to open or operate with Guidance for facilities for sports and recreational fitness activities during COVID-19 are not permitted to go beyond the limits in O. Reg 364/20: Rules for Stage 3 [link: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/200364].

If your facility is precluded from operating by the Stage 3 regulation or otherwise by law, you may submit a proposal [link: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-jobs-and-recovery-committee] to outline how organizations and/or facilities in your sector can safely reopen. Please note that this process is not intended to approve plans for individual businesses, but to help the government consider a plan and guidance for whole sectors.

Are all sport and recreational facilities required to open for wider use?

Facility operators can choose to open for wider use when they feel it is safe to do so, and in accordance with all rules all applicable laws, regulations, guidance and public health advice.

In some cases, not every organization will be able to increase their limits if they don’t have the size or layout to permit wider access.

There's help for businesses who need help navigating the order and what it means to them. Consult the ontario.ca/stop the spread website for a detailed list and description of businesses exempt from the order or call 1-888-444-3659.

Do these amendments mean that convention centres can also increase their capacity limits?

Convention centres are not included in the category of facilities covered by the regulatory amendment or guidance document/plan released today.

This announcement relates to facilities for sports and recreational fitness activities, including gymnasiums, health clubs, community centres, multi-purpose facilities, arenas, exercise studios, yoga and dance studios and other fitness facilities in which sports or recreational fitness activities take place.

We continue to work with convention centres, hotels and event venues to develop guidance which will allow those facilities to further reopen in a safe manner.

What is the Ontario Amateur Sport Fund?

The Ontario Amateur Sport Fund (OASF) is a multi-year funding program that supports ministry recognized Provincial Sport Organizations.

This funding supports provincial level programming including the training and development of athletes, coaches and officials, the operation of provincial level competitive opportunities, long term strategic and financial planning, and the administrative operations of the association.

Is the money being announced new funding?

This funding is an annual commitment that supports the provincial sport system – and now more than ever are these funds critical to the sector.

While the funding announced is not new, we are expediting funds to support organizations who are experiencing cash flow issues due to cancellation of events and reduced membership revenues.

The Ontario Amateur Sport Fund will pave the way for Ontarians to have access to a best-in-class amateur sport system from the playground to the podium.

Why has the Government not released funding to Quest for Gold athletes from the 2019/20 fiscal year?

I look forward to making an announcement about support for high performance sport athletes, including Ontario’s incredible Quest for Gold athletes, in the near future.

Matthew Stubbings

Executive Assistant

Mike Harris

MPP Kitchener-Conestoga

Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry