On May 20th, 2021, the provincial government announced its Re-Opening Plan for the province of Ontario. This Re-Opening Plan is a 3-step plan, and its progression is dependent on province-wide vaccination rates & public health indicators. The province has scrapped the previous colour-coded framework that was being utilized prior to the province-wide shutdown & stay-at-home order being implemented in early April 2021. Field Hockey Ontario is continuing to monitor the situation and will provide membership with updates as soon as they are available.

As of May 22nd, 2021, outdoor recreational amenities such as golf courses, tennis courts, basketball courts, skate parks, soccer fields, and others are permitted to open for use. However, no organized outdoor sports or recreational classes are permitted at this time. 

Step 1 of the Re-Opening Plan will allow for outdoor team sports training only, with a maximum of 10 participants and mandatory 3-metre physical distancing between all participants at all times. Games and scrimmages will not be permitted at this time. Indoor team sports will not be permitted in this step. It is anticipated that the province will enter Step 1 on June 14th, 2021, however, this date is subject to change. Until the province enters Step 1, no organized field hockey events, training, or games should be occurring. 

Step 2 of the Re-Opening Plan will allow for further easing of restrictions for outdoor sports, allowing games/scrimmages and league play. It is not clear yet what the maximum number of participants allowed will be. Indoor sports will not be permitted during this time. 

Step 3 of the Re-Opening Plan will allow both indoor and outdoor sports, however specific details on restrictions are still being finalized. 

It is anticipated that the province will spend a minimum of 21-days at each step before progressing onto the next step. For more information on Ontario’s Re-Opening Plan, please visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/reopening-ontario

Field Hockey Ontario will continue to provide its membership and clubs with updated information, including specific details on each step and when the province enters/changes steps. We would like to remind our members and clubs to continue doing their part to limit the spread of COVID-19 and follow all public health guidelines. 

If you have any questions, please contact Justine Branco, Head Athletic Therapist, at athletictherapy@fieldhockeyontario.com.