UPDATED October 1st, 2021
Modified Phase-5 Reopening to Begin on Monday
October 1/21
Dear Member,
Further to my email dated September 30th regarding the modified Phase-5 reopening plan, there has been a clarification made by government with regards to employees (including paid coaches and officials) that is important to share with you.
Proof of full vaccination is not required for full-time or part-time staff of businesses and organizations that host events and activities covered by Section 3.1 of this Protocol (indoor and outdoor sports practices, games, competitions and tournaments). However, if an employee accesses the event or activity on their own time, this protocol applies to them. Proof of full vaccination is not required under this protocol if your job requires you to access a business or organization that hosts an event or activity covered by this protocol.
Proof of full vaccination is required for volunteers who host, lead or organize the events and activities covered by Section 3.1 of this protocol. Some examples include people who organize community events and programs, lead or organize club type activities, and coaches, referees and other officials who volunteer with sports activities.
For a further understanding of this section, please read the Q and A as answered by our sport leaders at the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage::
Q. Are paid coaches and officials of a sport organization/facility/club NOT required to show proof of Full Vaccination to perform one's duties as an employee of said organization/facility/club.
A. Correct. As the policy above states: Proof of full vaccination is not required for full-time or part-time staff of businesses and organizations that host events and activities covered by Section 3.1.
Please note that any business or organization may choose to implement its own vaccine policy for staff and volunteers (see Section 4.0)
Q. Are paid coaches and officials of a sport organization/facility/club who are required to travel outside of one's place of employment to perform their employee duties NOT required to show proof of Full Vaccination, i.e. coach at an event held at another facility/club.
A. Correct, with emphasis on those “…who are required…”. As the policy above states: Proof of full vaccination is not required for full-time or part-time staff of businesses and organizations that host events and activities covered by Section 3.1. If said duty falls outside of their required employment duties (and they are not compensated by the other business or organization), they would be required to show proof of vaccination.
Please note that any business or organization may choose to implement its own vaccine policy for staff and volunteers (see Section 4.0).
Q.Does the term "hosts" referred to in this document means "offers or leads an event or activity such as a lesson or training session".
A. Yes. The word "hosts" includes "offers", "leads", "runs", "organizes", "executes", etc. events and activities covered in Section 3.1
Q. Are Paid coaches and officials of a sport organization/club who participate as an athlete or volunteer required to show full proof of vaccination in order to participate.
A. Yes. Proof of full vaccination is not required for full-time or part-time staff of businesses and organizations that host events and activities covered by Section 3.1 (indoor and outdoor sports practices, games, competitions and tournaments) of this protocol. However, if an employee accesses the event or activity on their own time, this Protocol applies to them.
In summary,
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Vaccines are mandatory for all participants and spectators for all organized equestrian activity;
- Masks are mandatory indoors except for in the competition/activity zone;
- No gathering limits for organized equestrian activities;
- Employees of an equestrian facility/organization may be exempt from the Policy as per the Q and A in this email;
- Essential equine caretakers are exempt i.e. farriers, vets.
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Boarding facilities who require clients to care for the essential needs of their own horse are exempt from asking for proof of vaccination. They are permitted to have a policy. Please ensure safe protocols are in place, i.e scheduling.
- Current border restrictions will remain in place and expanded to include people coming from PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador. That means self-isolation will still be required after travel for people who aren’t fully vaccinated (at least 7 days plus 2 negative tests).
Regardless of your views, please be respectful of others; do not take your anger or frustration out on event organizers or volunteers, coaches or facility staff. We are all exhausted from this pandemic yet we must do our part to keep each other safe.
Thank you for taking the time to read this email and learning more about your role in the modified reopening as it relates to equestrian activity.
As always, please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. When emailing me, please include your contact information.
Take very good care,
Heather Myrer
Executive Director
The Government of Nova Scotia's website
is the official source for all related information.