KidsCanSwim Required by the Government of Ontario to Introduce Mandatory Vaccination Policy for Adult Guests
Good afternoon KCS Families,
Throughout this pandemic, KidsCanSwim (KCS) has always been committed to providing the highest levels of safety for its guests and team members while also always operating in accordance with all relevant public health and safety measures.
On September 14th, 2021 the government of Ontario published regulations that require us to introduce a vaccine certification policy. The regulation requires all patrons entering a business or organization subject to Ontario Regulation 364/20 to provide proof of identification and proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, at the time of entry. This recent announcement specifically applies to indoor areas of facilities used for swimming classes and will come into effect on September 22, 2021.
Hence, in accordance with this new legislation, effective at 12:01AM on September 22, 2021, all KCS guests, aged 18 and over (except for guests with recognized exemptions as detailed in #4 below), will be required to provide both a proof of vaccination status in accordance with #2 or #3 below and also present an approved government-issued photo-ID in order to enter a KCS Centre.
Policy Statements and Requirements
This policy is a working document and will be reviewed and updated in accordance with changes or amendments to regulations as presented in the future by the Ontario Government or the Ottawa Public Health authorities.
KCS will be implementing the following rules as a condition of entering our Centre:
- Children Under 18 Years Old
Children aged 18 and under are currently exempt from this requirement as per Appendix A of the Ontario regulations which states that youth under 18 years of age actively participating in an organized sport, including training, practices, games, and competitions such as swimming classes are not required to provide proof of vaccination.
- Guests Over 18 Years Old Wishing to Enter Our Facility
According to Ontario regulations, guests aged 18 and over are required to provide proof of their vaccination status and must be considered fully vaccinated by current government of Ontario health regulations, with vaccines administered at least 14 days prior to arrival, to enter our facility. Proof will either be:
- In the form of a paper or electronic copy of a vaccine receipt from the Ministry of Health; or
- Starting on October 22nd, 2021 an Ontario-issued SMART® Health Card QR code on an enhanced vaccine certificate, or a SMART® Health Card QR codes issued by another Canadian province, territory or health authority currently included in the app so far, including British Columbia, Quebec and the Yukon.
Both forms of proof can be found at: https://covid19.ontariohealth.ca/.
- Guests Over 18 Years Old Vaccinated Outside of Ontario and Wishing to Enter Our Facility
For those members or guests that have been vaccinated outside Ontario, upon arrival at KidsCanSwim, they must provide documentation of vaccination that includes date, Country / location where vaccines were administered and type of vaccine. Currently the list of vaccines approved by the Government of Canada are as follows: Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Oxford / Astra Zeneca and Moderna. Please be advised that KCS will only accept one of these approved listed vaccines.
- Recognized Exemptions
According to Ontario regulations, guest(s) aged 18 and over who cannot receive the vaccine due to medical and other recognized exemptions (as defined in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code) will be permitted entry with a note signed by the appropriate authority until said recognized exemptions can be integrated as part of a digital vaccine certificate.
What to Expect When You Attend Your Next Swimming Lesson
a) On or after September 22nd, 2021, all guests entering a KCS facility aged 18 and over, will have to check-in at the front desk and will be asked to provide both a proof of vaccination status in accordance with #2 or #3 above and also present an approved government-issued photo-ID. Please remember, only one parent per child is permitted in the facility.
b) If the primary care giver on your customer portal account is not vaccinated, another parent/guardian from the same household can bring the swimmer to his/her class but will also be required to provide both a proof of vaccination status in accordance with #2 or #3 above and present an approved government-issued photo-ID.
c) If you have an exemption to the Government of Ontario policy based on disability/medical grounds and/or religion/creed grounds as defined by the Ontario Human Rights Code please ask to speak to a Team Lead upon arrival to our Centre. Please be advised that KCS will require a note signed by the appropriate authority.
We are hopeful that this requirement from the government of Ontario will give an added layer of protection, that will help us continue to provide high-quality, fun and life-saving swimming lessons to babies and kids without having to close our doors again.
If you have any questions/comments, please email [email protected]
We truly appreciate your on-going support and look forward to seeing you all at the pool.
Thank you and best regards,
The KCS Team
