February 25, 2021
 
Communication Advisory

Re: Province moves several Health Districts back to colour zones            

The provincial government has begun transitioning the Health Districts back to the COVID-19 Response Framework (colour-coded framework) https://covid-19.ontario.ca/zones-and-restrictions. As the transition back to the colour-coded framework takes place, the premier’s office continues to maintain that the “Emergency Brake System”, which would allow the provincial government to take immediate action to shut down any health district if COVID-19 cases started to rise again, may be engaged at any time. Several new variants of the COVID-19 strain are now active in Ontario therefore the province needs to be cautious in reopening as the new COVID-19 variants can spread very quickly.
 
In response to the transition to the colour-coded zones, Special Olympics Ontario will permit programs in specific zones to re-start effective March 8, 2021:
Extra Precautions: Sport training sessions must not engage in any games or scrimmage type drills and we recommend participants increase their physical distancing to 4m (12ft) while engaging in rigorous training drills (speed drills, high exertion exercise drills, etc.).
 
Additionally, Special Olympics sport training sessions are not considered an essential service and therefore, athletes and coaches / volunteers should not be crossing regional borders to attend a Special Olympics training session.
 
Programs in the Orange, Yellow and Green Zones that have completed the Return to Program (RTP) process, please contact your Provincial Consultant to discuss your re-start date. Programs that have not completed the Return to Program process will need to visit the RTP website:
 
Special Olympics Ontario continues to be cautious in our approach to opening given the many variables that surround our movement. We are optimistic and active in promoting the needs of our athletes and those who support them. There does appear to be a light at the end of the tunnel.
 
Please stay informed by going to our website www.specialolympicsontario.com for the latest updates.
 
Should you have any questions or would like to speak with a staff person about the pandemic please email covid19@specialolympicsontario.com or call 1-888-333-5515 ext. 311 and leave a message and we will follow up. 
 
Thank you for understanding, 
Glenn MacDonell
President & CEO

cc: Special Olympics Board of Directors
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