YMCA of Eastern Ontario to Require Covid Vaccinations for Members, Visitors and Staff

Published on: 2021/08/27 - in News

The YMCA of Eastern Ontario has announced, in advance of its re-opening on September 1, a new vaccination policy that will require all members, visitors and staff to be fully vaccinated to access its facilities and programs. The only exception to this policy is for those who are medically exempt or not eligible to be vaccinated.

Individuals will be required to self-screen when entering YMCA facilities in Kingston or Brockvill, with a questionnaire featuring a declaration of full vaccination or a recent negative Covid test.

Anyone not vaccinated or who are exempt from vaccinations will have to provide a weekly negative Covid tests while others must be able to show proof of vaccination or test results, if requested.

“Since the outset of the pandemic, we have put safety first, and have gone above and beyond what has been recommended,” said Rob Adams, CEO, YMCA of Eastern Ontario. “We are doing our part to support the exemplary community efforts to increase vaccination rates to keep people safe and to mitigate infections. We believe that people in our communities expect this degree of conscientiousness from us.”

This policy may be updated subject to federal, provincial and/or public health decisions or recommendations on Covid guidelines, vaccinations or booster shots.

“We reached out to our members in a survey and many expressed a desire for vaccinations to be required,” Adams said. “We know that everyone wants a return to the pre-pandemic ‘normal’ as soon as possible. Although we don’t yet know what a new normal looks like, expecting people to be vaccinated is an important step to get there faster.”

YMCA Covid-19 protocols currently include masking, safe distancing, sanitization, hand-washing hygiene, capacity limits, self-screening and a vaccination self-declaration. These protocols are updated as the pandemic evolves.