August 31, 2020
Communication Advisory
During the month of August, Special Olympics Ontario (SOO) moved forward with our plan to carefully open up programs, which included staged sport openings for limited activities such as golf. Return to Program www.specialolympicsontario.com/return-to-program was launched
July 25th providing the information, process and procedures for communities, teams, programs, volunteers, athletes and families to understand the process and provide feedback.
While health regulations are easing across the province, opening sport in a safe, secure and organized manner continues to be a challenge. We (SOO) have received and have made a number of alterations to the process but feedback remains cautious and deliberate, which is standard across the province.
Our plans will mirror this approach and we will work with communities and schools on the method that works best for them as they move into the orange phase of Return to Program. It seems likely that a hybrid model will be the approach of choice where some athlete/coach interaction will be supplemented by virtual platforms. That said, it will be an individual choice to participate or not.
While programs may begin to look at opening, the process to do so must still be followed.
Fundraising activities may be planned and approved by submitting a request to the provincial office through the Return to Program Hub. Health protocols must be followed and athlete participation must be approved and may be conditional based on risk concerns and/or liability reasons.
There are a number of virtual Law Enforcement Torch Run and motionball events happening during the month of September providing a great way to involve our athletes and communities.
As usual, we will continue to monitor and evaluate the status of this pandemic on a month to month basis and we will advise you of any further information as it becomes available.
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.
Stay safe everyone!
Thank you for your understanding,
