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COVID-19 / Return To Swimming Information

January 26, 2022

The information contained in this bulletin is current as of January 26, 2021.

The Provincial Health Officer has amended the guidance specific to youth sport, announcing yesterday that as of February 1, tournaments for primarily child and youth sport will be allowed.  Proof of vaccine requirements will stay in place and spectators are limited to 50% capacity.

Swimming Interpretation:

  • Sanctioned swim meets, swim competitions and regular training activities continue to be permitted. With the January 25 announcement to permit tournaments, the strong rationale was provided to underscore the Ministry of Heath’s valuation of Youth sport and its integral place in our children’s day-to-day activity.

Additionally:

  • Interprovincial travel (between provinces) and international travel for sport is not advised.
  • All other activities that would be considered typical to your clubs’ operations and programming (ie/ standard dryland training at your pool) may continue. If you conduct strength training at a gymnasium, please note that these facilities have been ordered closed by the PHO and such training should not continue.  Social events hosted by clubs should not continue.
  • High-performance athletes may train, travel, or compete in accordance with safety protocols. (NB – HP athlete means a person who is identified by CSI-Pacific as a high-performance athlete affiliated with Swim BC)
  • Adult and mixed-age sport and recreation programs (ie/ Masters programs) are to be conducted at 50% of capacity/occupancy of the space (including pool-based). Please consult with your facility to determine the application of this language.
  • Group Size: There is no maximum group size for participants, coaches, volunteers, staff, and officials.
  • Physical distance does not need to be maintained in or out of the pool
  • Masks: mandatory when out of the pool.
  • Sport organizations are no longer required to have a COVID-19 safety plan, although Swim BC clubs hosting competitions may wish to consider developing a communicable disease prevention plan as per WorkSafe BC guidance. 

Proof of Vaccination reminder:

  • NOT REQUIRED for Youth (21 and younger) participating in sport events and programming
  • REQUIRED for supervisors* (12 and older) for youth sport events and programming.
  • REQUIRED for Youth (12 and older) participating in sport programming and events primarily intended for adults
  • REQUIRED for all Adult sport participants (Masters) and all employed and non-employed supervisors* accessing swimming pools
  • REQUIRED for spectators (12 years and older) at all sport events and programs

* – supervisors refers to a person leading, supporting, or assisting a sport activity, but who is not working as an employee. This includes parents required to be present at a child/youth program

If you require further information, please email or phone Executive Director Ken Radford.

Disclaimer

Swim BC Return to Swimming Guidance

Swim BC’s role in the Return to Swimming process is to communicate timely updates and information to help the swimming community plan safe conduct of activities.  This information from Swim BC is not intended for legal purposes and all Swim BC members are reminded to follow current health orders and recommendations set out by the Office of the Provincial Health Officer.

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