As announced by the Government of Nova Scotia today, Nova Scotia will move into Phase 5 of the reopening plan on October 4.Starting Oct. 4, people who are 12 and older will need to provide proof of full vaccination to participate in most events and activities that bring groups of people together.   Masks will also be required to be worn in all public facilities.

To facilitate a smooth transition to this Proof of Vaccination, we will have additional volunteers at our Try-Outs to check for this proof and verification at the rink.  Our volunteers have been instructed not to collect any personal data or to collect copies of the Proof of Vaccination.  You can show either a paper copy of your record or a digital copy (on your phone).  We will also be asking all participants to do a Pre-Covid Screening as per last year.  Please ensure that this is filled out and submitted prior to coming to the rink.  This is required for anyone (player, coach, team officials, spectators) attending Try-Outs, practices or games this year.

For players, where required and outlined below, we will check for proof of vaccination once.  The player’s name and confirmed status will be kept on file so that players do not have to continue to bring proof every time they come to the rink.  Players are welcomed to start showing their proof of vaccination starting September 30^th.  This should help with the orderly flow of players to get ready and on the ice.

For volunteers, bench staff and on-ice support, we will also be verifying your status.  Please ensure you bring your Proof of Vaccination and ensure that your name gets on our list with the Divisional Coordinator so that we don’t have to verify each time you come to the rink.

For spectators, for intersquad or exhibition games during the Try-Out process, we will have additional volunteers to check and verify proof of Vaccination at the rink before you are allowed entry into the spectator area.  Just a reminder that spectators will only be allowed in the lower areas of the rink at RBC Centre during the Try-Out period.  We ask for your cooperation and patience as we implement these new measures.  We are a volunteer driven organization and we do appreciate all of the efforts by everyone involved.  

Quick Facts:

• People with a valid medical reason that prevents vaccination can get an exception letter from their physician or nurse practitioner to show instead of proof of full vaccination.
• A small number of Nova Scotians who participated in COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials have already been sent an exception letter to show instead of proof of full vaccination
• People over the age of 18 are required to show proof of full vaccination.
• Children who turned 12 between January 1 and October 4 this year will have until Dec. 31 to attend events and activities while they get vaccinated; children who turn 12 after October 4 will have three months from their birthday
• Youth who are 13 to 18 years old and have proof that they received one dose of vaccine can participate in sport, recreation, arts and culture programming and have until October 26to get their second dose.

If you require more information on this policy, please refer to Government of Nova Scotia website at:

https://novascotia.ca/reopening-plan/phase-five/

If you need the link for proof of Vaccination, please use the following link:

https://novascotia.flow.canimmunize.ca/en/portal

We are all looking forward to a great start to the season and keeping everyone involved safe.

See you at the rink!