Covid-19 Updates

April 1, 2022

Effective March 1 public health orders have come into effect that remove all remaining proof of vaccination requirements for public places and effective March 15 mask requirement in an indoor public place have been lifted.

Please note that although proof of vaccinations and mask requirements for indoor venues have been removed from public health orders and our Return to Play Protocol, some facilities may still maintain these requirements and programs or events scheduled at such venues are bound to their terms and facility policies. Please ensure you confirm with any venues you will be utilizing on what their policies will be going forward.

Although the current public health orders eliminated restrictions, COVID-19 is still present in the community and can impact your athletes, team and families. Many of the COVID-19 mitigation strategies are no longer deemed mandatory but remain strongly encouraged by public health especially for indoor settings. We are excited at the prospect of having no restrictions on sport and it is our goal to do our part to have sport remain open without restrictions. We would ask that all members continue to be diligent in following the recommendations of public health to lower the risk of COVID-19 disrupting your season.

We thank you for your support and understanding.

MWPA Board of Directors

March 15, 2022

Covid-19 Update

Please be advised as of March 15, 2022, wearing a mask indoors is no longer required within our public health orders.

Manitoba Water Polo strongly recommends that participants wear a mask and respect social distancing measures while in public spaces when not participating in physical activity.

Recommendations regarding Covid-19 positive testing (after isolation periods are lifted by the PHO) – we strongly recommend that anyone testing positive for Covid-19 should do their due diligence and isolate for 5 days until symptom free before returning to the pool. As we are a small sport community, we trust that all parents, coaches, officials and athletes will remain steadfast in their part in keeping all participants safe.

MWPA Board of Directors

March 3, 2022

Covid-19 Update

Public Health Orders in Sport:

Capacity limits are eliminated in venues for indoor and outdoor sport.

Tournaments are allowed.

As of March 1, new public health orders have come into effect that remove all remaining proof of vaccination requirements for public places. Mask-wearing continues to be required in indoor public spaces until March 15.

With respect to our sport specific RTP plan, we are currently in Step 4 –

Travel Restrictions – Domestic travel permitted

Training Location – Training within facilities, no physical distancing

Training Options – Full training and domestic competition, large group competition allowed with fans.

*Please note that although proof of vaccinations have now been removed from the health orders and our Return to Play protocols, and the mask requirements for indoor venues will be lifted on March 15, some facilities may still maintain these requirements and programs or events scheduled at such venues are bound to their terms and facility policies. Please ensure you confirm with any venues you will be utilizing on what their policies will be going forward.

MWPA Board of Directors

February 15, 2022

As of Tuesday, February 15, the Province of Manitoba is moving forward with a plan to further reduce public health restrictions.

In sport:

Capacity limits will be eliminated in venues for indoor and outdoor sport
Young people ages 12 to 17 participating in indoor sports and recreation will no longer be required to provide proof of vaccination or recent testing
Proof of vaccination is still required for those 18 and over for those spectating and participating
Tournaments are allowed

Self-Isolation and Contact Tracing:

New self-isolation and contact tracing orders have been developed with specific direction on the steps to take if you:

are notified by a public health official or a contact tracing official that you have tested positive for COVID-19
have tested positive upon taking a rapid COVID-19 test
are asked to provide contact tracing information

For more on masks and travel visit: gov.mb.ca/covid19/prs/index.html

We are also aware that the province plans to remove proof of vaccination requirements effective March 1 and mask requirements and other restrictions will be lifted effective March 15.

Thank you for your cooperation, MWPA Office

January 20, 2022

Members have asked about Public Health order protocols in relation to contact tracing, high-risk settings, and self-isolation and we felt the information would be beneficial to share with all of you.

First, some definitions:

The period of communicability is when you are most likely to spread COVID-19 to others. For those who are symptomatic, the period of communicability is from two days prior to the onset of symptoms through to 10 days from the start of your symptoms. For those who test positive and have no symptoms (asymptomatic), the period of communicability extends from two days before your lab test to 10 days after you had the test.

Close contacts are people who you have shared space with during your period of communicability. Specifically, these are people you were within two metres/six feet for a total of 10 minutes over a 24-hour period.

In most situations, public health officials will no longer be notifying close contacts. Confirmed COVID-19 cases will be asked to notify their own contacts.

Also to note is that the 5 days of isolation for positive cases is from symptom onset or test date, whichever is later and for fully vaccinated individuals only.

A reminder that the current public health orders are extended until Tuesday, February 1, 2022 and more info can be found at manitoba.ca/covid19. More info on isolation can be found at https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/fundamentals/self-isolation.html.

Thank you for your cooperation, MWPA Office

December 21, 2021

As of December 21, 2021, the following changes to public health orders are currently in effect and expire on Jan. 11, 2022.

Indoor and Outdoor Sport

Spectator capacity is reduced to 50 per cent
While games and practices can continue, no tournaments will be permitted

We are currently working with public health to determine which events are considered tournaments, and we will provide clarification if/once we receive it. Please contact us if you need guidance on what is considered a tournament.

Indoor sport continues to be restricted to:

persons who produce proof of vaccination,
persons who produce proof from the Government of Manitoba that there is a medical reason for the person not to receive a vaccine for COVID-19,
persons under 12 years of age,
persons who are at least 12 years of age but who have not yet reached 18 years of age and who produce
- proof that they have received one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine for COVID-19, or
- proof of a negative rapid COVID-19 test result within the previous 72 hours that is confirmed by a pharmacist or by staff at a nursing station on a First Nation

In an effort to limit the number of close contacts, we are following public health’s guidelines and encouraging you to share with your members that there should be no group activities outside of practice time or games, participants should come ready to play and limit group time indoors (e.g. in dressing rooms).

Thank you for your cooperation, MWPA Office

December 6, 2021

As of December 6, 2021, youth aged 12 to 17 years attending indoor sport and recreational facilities must provide proof that they have received:

at least one dose of an approved vaccine, or
proof of a pharmacist-confirmed negative result from an approved rapid antigen test, from within the 72 hours before participation

It is the responsibility of the facility operator to ensure all other public health orders are followed.

In partnership with the Department of Sport, Culture, Heritage, as well as sport and education stakeholders, the Manitoba government has prepared guidance for facility operators, sports organizations, and schools to ensure they are in compliance with the public health orders.

For information on proof of vaccination, the scope of the orders, and how to collect and manage personal health information, visit:
https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/testing/testing-youth-indoor-sports.html

This information is also available in a fact sheet that can be downloaded or printed, and shared with your teams.

Recreation Manitoba has complied additional resources for sport on its website:

Sample of a negative rapid antigen test from a pharmacy
Sample of proof of a single dose record from Shared Health website
A reference guide for COVID-19 screeners

Thank you for your cooperation, MWPA Office

November 25, 2021

Based on public health information water polo practices and games can proceed with a few caveats. The information noted below has been sourced through Public Health, Sport Manitoba, Water Polo Canada, City of Winnipeg and Manitoba Water Polo.

All 12+ participants must be double vaccinated.
All persons aged 12+ must provide proof of vaccination status to participate in or attend water polo activities.
All Coaches, Referees and Volunteers must be double vaccinated.
Masks must be worn by all participants unless actively playing water polo.
Referees do not need to wear a mask when actively officiating.
Participants must socially distance on the pool deck.
Ongoing Covid-19 hygiene practices remain in place as per Public Health guidelines.
Teams entering and exiting the pool must enter and exit as a collective group.
Participants must follow all Covid-19 restrictions set by the City of Winnipeg.
Individual play, group and individual instruction and team practices may take place at an indoor sporting facility.
Games, scrimmages or tournaments may be held providing that all current public health orders are followed.
If you are feeling sick, do not attend any water polo practices, games or events.

You can view the Province of Manitoba’s current Public Health Order here:

https://manitoba.ca/covid19/restartmb/prs/orders/index.html#current

We are excited at the prospect of having no restrictions on sport and it is our goal to do our part to have sport remain open without restrictions. We all hope to see athletes return to the pool for a full school and club season and ask for your support in making this happen.

Thank you for your cooperation, MWPA Office

Covid-19

Return to Water Polo in Manitoba

The MWPA Board of Directors, Staff and member Clubs have been working diligently to ensure our participants have a safe return to water polo. Together, we have developed a safe return to water polo resource guide that outlines protocol.

This return to play plan has received approval from the Province of Manitoba, Sport Manitoba and the Manitoba Water Polo Association. For additional resources contact the MWPA office at manitobawaterpolo01@gmail.com.

UPDATE: September 20, 2021:

C-19 update from Sport Manitoba:

Vaccination Status

Anyone U18 who is participating in sport, including players, coaches, officials, can do so unvaccinated and without being accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent/guardian.

Indoor sporting events

Anyone 18+ who is entering a sport facility and/or participating in an indoor sport event is required to provide proof of full vaccination. Anyone U18 who is entering an indoor facility to spectate a sport, does not need to provide proof of vaccination or be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Proof of Vaccination

Valid proof of vaccination includes only either of the following combinations:

QR code + Government-issued identification (driver’s license, passport, or Manitoba Health Card)
Physical immunization card + Government-issued identification (driver’s license, passport, or Manitoba Health Card)
Province of Manitoba Immunization record + Government-issued identification (driver’s license, passport, or Manitoba Health Card)

You can ask for proof of vaccination as they enter your facility/event/game, but you cannot copy or store proof of vaccination.

Confirmation of Vaccination

In sport, individuals who coordinate programming, as well as facility owners, share the responsibility to confirm that participants/spectators 18+ years show proof of vaccination.

Interprovincial Travel

14 days of self-isolation (quarantine) is required for all individuals returning to or coming to Manitoba from all jurisdictions unless the individual is exempt in the order from quarantine. Exemptions include Manitobans who can show proof of vaccination and children who are not eligible for the vaccine based on age, if all individuals they travelled with are fully immunized.

Complete details are available here: https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/prs/orders/index.html#travel-self-isolation

Spectator Capacity Indoors

As proof of vaccination is required for indoor sport facilities, no spectator capacity restrictions apply.

UPDATE: September 8, 2021

The current public health orders were published on September 2, 2021, and include the following relating to sporting and recreational activities:

ORDER 14: Indoor Activities

14(1) Indoor sporting and recreational facilities, including dance schools and martial arts studios, must not operate unless admission of members of the public to the facility is restricted to the following:

(a) persons who produce proof that they are fully immunized.

(b) persons who produce proof from the Government of Manitoba that there is a medical reason for the person not to receive a vaccine for COVID-19.

ORDER 27: Use of Masks

27(1) A person who enters or remains in an indoor public place must wear a mask in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin without gapping.

27(2) The operator of an indoor public place must ensure that every person who is not wearing a mask while in the indoor public place is given a reminder to do so as soon as practicable.

27(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply in respect of the following:

(a) a child who is under five years of age.

(b) a person with a medical condition that is unrelated to COVID-19, including breathing or cognitive difficulties, or a disability, that prevents them from safely wearing a mask.

(d) a person who is swimming or engaged in other athletic activities.

(e) a musician performing at licensed premises or at a concert hall or other performing arts venue.

(f) a person who needs to temporarily remove their mask while in the indoor public place for the purpose of

(i) receiving a service that requires the removal of their mask,

(ii) consuming food or drink,

(iii) an emergency or medical purpose, or

(iv) establishing their identity.

You can view the Province of Manitoba’s current Public Health Order here:

https://manitoba.ca/covid19/restartmb/prs/orders/index.html#current

Many of the COVID-19 mitigation strategies are no longer deemed mandatory but remain strongly recommended by Public Health especially for indoor settings. Manitoba Water Polo continues to consult with sport and health partners to provide strategies that will protect our participants, volunteers, staff and communities. We are excited at the prospect of having no restrictions on sport and it is our goal to do our part to have sport remain open without restrictions. We all hope to see athletes return to the pool for a full school and club season and ask for your support in making this happen.

For clubs, teams or organizations interested in providing indoor water polo activity:

Individual play, group and individual instruction and team practices may take place at an indoor sporting facility.
Games, scrimmages or tournaments may be held providing that all current public health orders are followed.
All persons aged 18 and over must provide proof of vaccination status to participate in or attend water polo activities.
These health orders do not restrict athletes 17 and under from participating in indoor sport if not vaccinated.

It is also important to note that the CIty of Winnipeg has established C-19 protocal that must be followed when entering a City of Winnipeg pool.

UPDATE: September 3, 2021

MWPA will communicate new C-19 protocol on September 8, 2021 with respect to current public health restrictions and recommendations from Sport Manitoba.

As noted in our August 9, 2021 Update, we are encouraging water polo Clubs and programs to follow current recommendations until September 7, 2021.

You can view the Province of Manitoba’s current Public Health Order here:

https://manitoba.ca/covid19/restartmb/prs/orders/index.html#current

UPDATE: September 3, 2021

C-19 update from City of Winnipeg Community Services:

In accordance with provincial public health orders published on September 2, 2021, proof of immunization is now required to visit and participate in indoor programming at City-operated pools, fitness and leisure centers, and arenas beginning September 3, 2021.

UPDATE: September 2, 2021

C-19 update from Sport Manitoba:

Indoor sports - Youth is defined as U18. Anyone under the age of 18 will not be required to be vaccinated to participate in sport. All adults, 18+ will have to be fully vaccinated to participate in sport. Any adult (18+) sports spectators will be required to be fully vaccinated. U18 spectators can be allowed entry into a facility with a fully vaccinated parent/guardian.

For vaccination verification: with the new health orders, adults (18+) being required to be vaccinated to participate in sport is now the law.

These updates do not include any parameters set the the operating facility. i.e. City of Winnipeg Community Services.

UPDATE: August 9, 2021

With the recently updated provincial public health orders going into effect Saturday August 7, Manitoba Water Polo will not be providing any further updates to indoor water polo activities. All sport restrictions have been removed except for the following:

13(1) Indoor sporting and recreational facilities may open if the operator:

(a) restricts the number of spectators at the facility to 50% of the usual spectator capacity of the facility.

and

(b) implements measures to ensure that members of the public who are not engaged in sporting or recreational activities are reasonably able to maintain a separation of at least two metres from other members of the public while at the facility.

You can view the Province of Manitoba’s current Public Health Order here:

https://manitoba.ca/covid19/restartmb/prs/orders/index.html#current

Although many of the mitigation strategies are no longer deemed mandatory, they remain strongly recommended by Public Health, especially for indoor settings.

August is typically a month where athletes attend multiple camps and can be involved with large numbers of athletes in indoor spaces for extended periods of time. These are all conditions generally regarded as elevating the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Therefore, for the duration of these public health orders (until September 7), Manitoba Water Polo recommends that the current Return to Play protocols be considered.

City of Wpg Update

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