COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS FOR YOUTH SPORTS AND RECREATION
As of December 6, 2021, public health orders require youth aged 12 to 17 years who attend indoor sporting and recreational facilities to provide proof that they have received at least one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine for COVID-19, or proof of a pharmacist-confirmed negative result from an approved rapid antigen test from within 72 hours before participation. The orders do not allow other health care providers to confirm a test result.
All other public health orders issued on November 13, 2021 and related guidance continue to be in place. It is the responsibility of the facility operator to ensure that the public health orders are followed. To view the current public health orders, visit: https://manitoba.ca/asset_library/en/proactive/20212022/orders-soe-11122021.pdf.
Scope of the orders
The orders apply to all youth aged 12 to 17 years entering any indoor sporting or recreational facility to watch or participate in sports or recreational activities. These facilities include, but are not limited to, gymnasiums, multi purpose rooms, fitness centres, community centres and municipal/community sports and recreation facilities, such as arenas. Indoor practices and competitions are subject to the orders.
The orders require the operators of indoor sporting and recreational facilities to restrict access to youth aged 12 to 17 years unless they provide proof that they have received at least one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine for COVID-19, or proof of a negative result from an approved rapid antigen test. Rapid antigen tests must be administered by a pharmacist within 72 hours before the activity.
All participants, coaches, volunteers and spectators aged 18 years and older must continue to provide proof of full vaccination or medical exemption approved by Manitoba Health and Seniors Care. Individuals aged 18 years and older may not use a rapid antigen test instead of proof of full vaccination.
In addition, individuals over the age of 12 years who attend group instructional classes, such as instruction on crafts, music, or other recreational subjects that take place within indoor sporting and recreational facilities must continue to present proof that they are fully immunized.
Acceptable proof of vaccination and testing to enter indoor sporting and recreational facilities
Individuals aged 18 years and older:
Proof of full vaccination requires a QR code issued by the Government of Manitoba as proof of full vaccination (or equivalent proof issued by another jurisdiction), as well as government-issued identification or a school ID card to verify the individual’s identity. Manitoba Immunization Cards can be requested on the government of Manitoba website at: www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccine/immunizationrecord/residents.html#immunization-cards or by calling 1‑844‑MAN‑VACC (1‑844‑626‑8222).
Individuals aged 12 to 17 years:
Proof of a single dose of vaccination requires a printout or web view of the individual’s government-issued immunization record as well as government-issued identification or a school ID card to verify the individual’s identity. A two week waiting period is not required before proof of a single dose can be accepted under the orders. A printout or web view of proof of a single dose of vaccination is available by registering on the Shared Health website at: https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/test-results/.
OR
Proof of a negative result from an approved rapid antigen test taken within the previous 72 hours. The test result must be confirmed by a pharmacist and verified with government-issued identification or a school ID card to verify the youth’s identity. The orders do not allow other health care providers to confirm a test result. Youth who choose testing should verify with their local pharmacy that test kits are available. Youth choosing testing are responsible for the cost of purchasing the tests.
Youth subject to the orders who have been granted a medical exemption are not required to undergo testing. Only Manitoba Health and Seniors Care may approve medical exemptions. Individuals who are granted an exemption have the same QR code issued by the
Government of Manitoba as other individuals who are fully vaccinated.
Use of provincial COVID-19 testing sites
Provincial COVID-19 testing sites must not be used to obtain testing results for the purposes of these public health orders. Provincial COVID-19 testing sites are for the testing of symptomatic individuals and individuals directed to be tested by public health officials. Facility operators should not accept test results that are obtained from a provincial COVID-19 testing site.
A guidance document for Sports Facilities provides additional information on youth sport vaccination / testing guidance and is available here: https://manitoba.ca/asset_library/en/covid/orders-indoor-youth-sports-schools-fact-sheet.pdf.
Additional information and general guidance about the impact of COVID-19 on municipal operations has been provided in previous bulletins to municipalities. These bulletins may be viewed on the COVID-19 Bulletin page in Manitoba Municipalities Online (MMO) at: https://www.gov.mb.ca/mr/mfas/bulletins.html.
If you have additional questions, please contact a Municipal Services Officer, email mrmaas@gov.mb.ca, or phone 204-945-2572.