COVID 19 Policy

EFFECTIVE March 21, 2022

On Monday March 21, the Province of Nova Scotia moves into Phase 3 of reopening and this includes a number of restrictions being lifted. 

 

Click here for PHASE 3 Information (March 21, 2022)

Thank you for your continued patience.

 

 

 

 ARCHIVED2020 Reopening Plan

The PCWC plans to implement a 4 phased re-opening and return to business plan.  Note that this plan is subject to change at the discretion of the PCWC and or based on direction from the Province of Nova Scotia.  This 4 Phased Plan is outlined below:

Phase 1 – Trial Opening (July 20 to 31)

During Phase 1 we will allow a soft or trial opening of the building including a limited return to physical activity and programing.  This will be limited to one private group pre-selected by the PCWC and the building will remain closed to the public.  This soft launch will include limited on ice / recreational surface programming and is intended to test the new Covid-19 operating policies and procedures.  Participation will be limited to the numbers and guidelines set out by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer for the Province of Nova Scotia (20 people per rink). 

 

Phase 2 – Limited Programing (August 3 to August 28)

During Phase 2 we will fully implement the Operational Plan based on learnings from Phase 1 (assuming there are no issues during Phase 1, if there are issues then we will re-evaluate, revise and adjust Phase 2 accordingly).  Phase 2 will see the PCWC open the facility and allow limited programing for hockey and figure skating.  The facility will remain closed to the general public and will be available only to users that have booked through the PCWC.

 

Phase 3 – Full Opening Return to Business Under New Guidelines (August 31 and beyond)

During Phase 3 we hope to reopen the building and offer regular programing under our new COVID-19 Guidelines.  We plan to fully implement the policies around social distancing and sanitisation, however participant numbers and types of gatherings (ie meetings) will be dictated by the Province of Nova Scotia and the Chief Medical Officer.  Effective October 1st we will follow the Province and Hockey Nova Scotia Return to Play Policies as follows:

 

Gathering Limit Increased to 50 people without social distancing for participants in performing arts and sports.

Mass Gatherings by business or organization of 200 for indoor events

 

Spectators will be permitted in the building based on 1 spectator per participant for practices, clinics and not game activities and 2 spectators per participant for non MHL / Jr A Games.  Spectators for games will be divided into home and visitor sections.

Organizations will be responsible for maintaining contact tracing forms for all participants and these forms must be sent to the PCWC prior to the start or each program.  During games it is the responsibility of the host team to maintain the contact tracing form for the visiting team and share with the PCWC if required.

 

Change rooms will be opened for use.

Phase 1 & 2 will adhere to the order of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Nova Scotia and limit the combined number of patrons, coaches, employees and service providers to 20 participants per ice when the ice is broken into 2 sections or less at one given time per surface. Physical distancing measures of 6 feet / 2 metres will be enforced both on and off the ice.  No spectators will be permitted in the building, all changerooms, the canteen and conference rooms will remain closed to users and the general public.  No food & beverage is to be brought into the facility.  The facility will only be open Monday to Friday (this will be revisited for August).

 

The lobby area will be restricted to flow through traffic (participants only), people will not be permitted to wait or gather in the lobby. The front entrance will remain closed, the rear entrance will be clearly marked as to which door is enter and which door is an exit, this will restrict any cross-traffic pattern as much as possible.  All guests must sanitize, wear facemasks, social distance and access to the building will be limited to their designated area of activity.

Start and finish times will be staggered by group (YMCA and PCWC users) to ensure minimum patron traffic, as well as longer gaps (20 minutes) between sessions to allow time for disinfecting processes to be followed.  Start and end times must be confirmed and approved by the COO of the PCWC before proceeding.

On ice group sizes are to be determined to follow the recommendations of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Nova Scotia.

 

ICE HOCKEY POLICY

No more than 50 participants (including coaches and game day officials) will be permitted on any one ice surface at any one time.   A 30-minute gap between each session will be implemented to ensure ample time for participants to exit and enter the areas without contact as well as give staff time to disinfect the contact areas.  There will be no sharing of water bottles of equipment.  Each user is responsible for cleaning and disinfecting their own equipment on a regular basis and must provide list of equipment used and cleaning schedule to the PCWC for approval.  Use of equipment is regulated by each Provincial Sport Governing Body.

 

FIGURE SKATING POLICY

Figure Skating will per permitted in Phase 2 only. No more than 50 participants (including coaches and staff) will be permitted on any one ice surface at any one time.  Off-ice warm-ups will be done outside the facility. These recommendations may be adjusted by direction from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health for the Province.

INSURNANCE COVERAGE

All groups renting space at the PCWC must provide proof of insurance coverage and must name the PCWC as co-insured on their policy.

 

BOOKING PROCESS

All bookings will be prearranged and agreed upon between both parties before proceeding. 

The PCWC will implement a new or revised booking process. We will work with each group / request to find the most feasible solution, however, we may not be able to meet all rentals requests during this period.

 

 

 

GROUPS USING THE FACILITY MUST SUBMIT AN OPERATIONAL ACTION PLAN FROM THEIR SPORT GOVERNING BODY OR BUSINESS PRIOR TO BOOKING ANY RENTAL AND USE OF THE FACILITY.

 

INDIVIDUAL RENTAL USERS MUST ABIDE BY THE FACILITY OPERATIONAL PLAN AND GUIDELINES.

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SANITZATION / SAFETY POLICY

The PCWC WILL EMPLOY THE FOLLOWING SANITATION PRACTICES

 

of all commonly touched surfaces such as interior and exterior door handles, railings, and ice rink gate handles.

counters, urinals, and toilets) to be cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis throughout the day (Sanitization Schedule to be created and signed off daily)

general public within the facility.  This will be clearly marked and enforced with markings and decals.

Any employee symptoms of illness (temperatures if required)

Regular, daily, hourly and ‘as needed’ cleaning and disinfecting within the facility

Patrons entering the facility complete with venue, time and contact information through

a screening process.

 

 

ALL PARTICIPANTS, COACHES AND GUARDIANS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ABIDE BY THE

FOLLOWING PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES

regarding Covid-19 prior to entering the facility. Contact information will be collected for each

person to assist in any Contact Tracing – each entrant of the facility shall register with name,

venue, contact number and email to facilitate contact tracing should it be required by the health

authorities.

and on the playing surface) physical distancing of a minimum of 6 feet / 2 metres separation will

be maintained between patrons, spectators, players on and off the ice, coaches and players on

the ice, and employees.

must exit 10 minutes after their session. There will be no early admittance to the facility.

directing participants to and from their designated ice surface to control the flow of patrons.

 

for their activity.

clearly marked where participants can finish preparing and remove items for departure. (i.e.

skates, helmets)

section during their session.

ice surface.

patrons is recommended.

outside the country and have not cleared 14 days of self-quarantine or if a participant, parent,

guardian, or coach are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or have had close contact with

someone who has COVID-19 like symptoms, DO NOT PARTICPATE OR ENTER THE FACILTY.

EMPLOYEE SCREENING

 

In an effort to screen employees prior to entering the facility we will implement an active screening process

that requires staff / managers asking each other specific screening questions prior to the start of

shift. This process will follow Worksafe NS OHAS guidelines.

We will also follow Municipal guidelines on safe work practices where applicable and work with

the local Health Authority.   

 

ILLNESSES OR SYMPTOMS WITH BOTH STAFF AND PATRONS/PARTICIPANTS

Patron / Participant – Should a patron / participant develop symptoms during their time in the facility,

they will be given a disposal face mask to wear and the staff interacting with them will wear one as well.

The individual will be brought to the designated health area (First Aid Room). They will be asked to

contact 811 as recommended by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health for the Province of

Nova Scotia. Should they be tested and found positive for COVID-19, we will follow the

communication protocols listed below.

 

Staff – If a Staff member develops symptoms of COVID-19 they will be asked to immediately put on their

community face mask and go to the designated health area (First Aid Room). From there a Manager will

advise them to contact 811 and log the information, following their recommendations. Should they be

recommended for testing and found positive, we will follow the communication protocols listed below.

One confirmed case of COVID-19 (Individual who tests positive for the virus causing COVID-19); OR Two

or more suspect cases of COVID-19 may lead to facility closure.