British Columbia has expanded public health orders requiring all adults supervising or assisting youth sports and other activities to be fully immunized.
This means that any coach, volunteer or group leader will fall under the new mandate.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is expected to provide further clarification on the new policy next Tuesday.
The change was made to provincial health orders on October 25, but was never publicly announced.
ViaSport has contacted sports organizations about the change.
“Reflecting on the concerns and issues raised by parents in these and many other circumstances has put some order,” Dix said.
“What that tells people is that if you are in those circumstances, you need to get vaccinated.”
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This will include, for example, dance studios, scouts and guides and other community groups.
What remains unclear is how the province will enforce the growing vaccine requirement. The province has difficulty mandating vaccines in the school system because it is not the direct employer.
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British Columbia outlines steps for school districts wishing to make vaccine mandatory for staff
The province is not the employer in this case, whereas community centres, other organizations and sports clubs would be the employer.
“That’s our expectation in this area and all other British Columbians will follow directions and orders,” Dix said.
“There are a variety of circumstances. the easiest part is that if you are supervising youth sports, you need to be vaccinated. It’s not about punishing anyone. It is about the security of the activity.
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