Essential Information Regarding COVID-19

As of October 1, 2022

The health and safety of our community is Quidditch Canada’s number one priority. Quidditch Canada has been monitoring the situation regarding COVID-19 and is providing ongoing updates to our members regarding our health and safety planning. This page will hold the most up to date information regarding the impacts of COVID-19 on Quidditch Canada’s programs and activities.

Quidditch Canada is excited to share with our community our Return to Quidditch Framework. This framework is intended to help guide reactivation of quidditch programs across the country in a safe way, and uses a phased approach to account for the varying provincial and local restrictions across the country. Access the document at the link provided, or scroll for an overview of the information included. Please note that program administrators are required to review the document in its entirety prior to beginning an in-person activity. 

Return to Quidditch guidelines 2022-23

Return to Quidditch Guidelines

The success of this framework requires a culture of openness, and an ability to engage in honest conversations with our membership about our health and safety without judgment. We remind all members not to make judgments about an individual’s health based on assumptions about their ethnicity, travel history, or cultural background. Quidditch Canada is committed to inclusivity and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind. 

If you have any questions regarding the impact of COVID-19 on Quidditch Canada’s programs and services, you are encouraged to reach out to us at covid19@quidditchcanada.com

Return to Quidditch Phases: 5 Phase Overview
Quidditch Canada has elected to implement a phased approach to programming. In order to implement and move through these phases effectively, it is important to understand where your local municipality and province may fall in regards to restriction and roll out. It is important to note that the below phases may not match up exactly with your municipal and provincial health guidelines. Always ensure you are following the local and provincial guidelines first.

 

 

How to Resume In-Person Play

Quidditch Canada will communicate directly with team programs to advise as to which phase they are permitted to participate in, in accordance with regional guidelines and restrictions. We will welcome information from member programs to advise of local changes to restrictions and guidelines, and take this information into account when determining what phase a particular region is in. 

Per the COVID-19 Vaccine Policy and the Return to Quidditch Guidelines, registered individuals participating in Phase 4 and Phase 5 of play will be required to submit vaccination information in order to participate in in-person play. 

While Quidditch Canada will indicate the highest level of contact permitted for each program, it is ultimately up to each individual program to assess their capacity to deliver programming in a safe way. For this reason, Quidditch Canada recommends that programs looking to resume in-person play start at Phase 2. It is recommended that each program spend 14 days at a particular phase before moving up to the next permitted phase. This is not only to ensure that trends relating to COVID-19 in your area are consistent, but also to ensure your program has the capacity to ensure safety at a lower level of risk in a consistent way.

While the Quidditch Canada website will indicate what phase is permitted within a given region, local team and program coaches and administrators should always consider their own capacity, comfort, and safety as an additional factor when moving between phases. If program administrators do not feel comfortable or equipped to ensure safety at a particular phase, they are always permitted to conduct activities at the phase below what is permitted. 

Moving Through Phases

It is expected that, as programs that resume in-person play, conditions may change and require a rapid response to move down a phase, or suspend activities. While Quidditch Canada will do its best to stay informed and rapidly respond to these changes, it is expected that local teams exercise due diligence in determining whether to move down a phase or suspend activities, always with continued adherence to government regulations. 

Programs should move down a phase if:

  • There is a significant increase in the number of positive tests in your local area over a seven (7) day period. 
  • There is an increase in the number of hospital admissions in your local area over a seven (7) day period. 
  • There is an increase in the number of COVID-19 related deaths in your local area over a seven (7) day period. 

 

While what determines a number to be “significant” is variable, Quidditch Canada references Women’s Flat Track Derby Association’s “Return to Roller Derby” Guidelines, wherein local areas should see a maximum of 50 new active COVID-19 cases per day, with an overall downward trend in the above metrics, in order to be delivering in-person quidditch activities. 

Programs should immediately suspend activities and return to Phase 1 if any individual participating in quidditch programs receives a positive test, OR if multiple participants (i.e. more than 2 people) report experiencing COVID-19 symptoms after participating in activities. 

The flowchart below illustrates how a particular program may move from Phase 1 through Phase 2, and subsequently to Phase 3. 

Figure. Moving through the Return To Quidditch phases – sample flowchart, moving from Phase 1 to Phase 3.

 

Standard Safety Guidelines

The following health, medical, and safety information is considered to be applicable and mandatory at all phases of the Return to Quidditch Framework, until such time that public health information and guidelines change. This information is generally applicable to all training environments and quidditch events, including indoor and outdoor facilities, practices, scrimmages, or competitions. Municipal, Provincial and Federal Public Health information and guidelines must be respected at all times and superseded the information below. 

Safety and hygiene guidelines for all participants include:

  • Respiratory etiquette (sneeze or cough into your elbow or upper arm)
  • Frequent handwashing
  • Physical distancing of 2m distance between individuals where possible
  • No sharing of whistles, water bottles, towels, clothing, and other personal items
  • No shared or communal food or water. 
  • Limited sharing of game equipment, including jerseys, gloves, brooms, headbands, and other personal gamewear. 
  • Particular attention paid to storing and handling mouthguards
  • No spitting, clearing of nasal passages, handshakes, high fives, fist bumps, chest bumps or hugs permitted.
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks should be required when 2m distance can’t be maintained. Note that masks are generally not recommended for use during high intensity physical activities. 
  • All non-playing personnel on the sidelines that will possibly have close contact with athletes, including non-playing managers, coaches, athletic therapists, and volunteers, should wear masks 
  • Vigorous vocalization should be avoided when closer than 12 feet distance from individuals (e.g. shouting or cheering). 

 

Pre-participation screening is mandatory for all participants in any in-person quidditch activities. Tools such as Health Canada’s COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool can be used for these purposes. 

COVID-19 FAQ

What is COVID-19?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some affecting humans and others affecting animals. Coronaviruses that cause illness in people are common and are typically associated with mild illnesses, similar to the common cold.

COVID-19 is a new disease that has not been previously identified in humans, caused by a coronavirus. It can be spread through:

  • Respiratory droplets caused by sneezing or coughing
  • Direct contact with a person infected with COVID-19
  • Touching an object or surface with the virus on it. 

 

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other illnesses. Some commonly reported symptoms include:

  • New or worsening cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Temperature equal to or over 38 degree celsius
  • Chills
  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Muscle or body aches
  • New loss of smell or taste
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. abdominal pain, vomiting)

Children have been more commonly reported to have abdominal symptoms and skin changes or rashes. In severe cases, infection can lead to death for infected persons of any age.

Symptoms of COVID-19 are variable from person to person. They can take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to the virus, and range from mild to more serious. Evidence has shown that the virus can be transmitted to others from someone who is infected but not showing symptoms, including people who: (1) have not developed symptoms (pre-symptomatic) or (2) have never developed symptoms (asymptomatic). 

While experts know that these kinds of transmissions are happening among those in close contact or in close physical settings, it is not known to what extent. This means it is extremely important, especially considering the nature of a full contact sport, to follow proven preventative measures.

 

What should I do if I am experiencing symptoms?

If you are experiencing symptoms, or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you must:

  • Stay home to avoid spreading it to others
  • Avoid contact with others, especially older adults or those with medical conditions
  • If you live with others, stay in a separate room or keep a 2-metre distance
  • Call ahead before you visit a healthcare professional, or call your local public health authority or nursing station 
  • Tell them your symptoms, discuss the possibility of being tested, and follow their instructions
  • If you need immediate medical attention, call 911.

 

What is social distancing?

Social distancing refers to the measures and approaches taken to minimize close contact with others in the community. Social distancing measures can include:

  • Quarantine and self-isolation at the individual level
  • Community-based approaches (e.g. avoiding crowding, school closures, workplace measures and closures, mass gathering cancellations, sport and recreation modifications). 

This guide considers Quidditch Canada’s role and the role of individual programs to ensure community-based social distancing measures are being implemented until such time that COVID-19 no longer poses a threat (i.e. until a vaccine is produced). 

It is important to remember that social distancing measures are relevant to all non-health care related settings, including sport and recreation settings, and that such measures aim to reduce transmission within the community. 

 

What is and isn’t permitted at Quidditch Canada:

Until such a time that COVID-19 no longer poses a threat to public health and safety, the following activities are not permitted by Quidditch Canada as part of a commitment to social distancing protocols:

    • Crowding. Quidditch Canada is not permitting teams to conduct activities that may lead to crowding, which Quidditch Canada defines as a space that is filled to capacity where individuals have little or no room for movement. At all times, any participant in Quidditch Canada activities should have the capacity to maintain 2 meters between themselves and other participants or spectators. 

 

COVID-19 Vaccine Policy FAQ

Please read the policy in full for all information relating to the COVID-19 Policy.

What is required for me to register with Quidditch Canada?

Proof of vaccination is not required for anyone to register for a Quidditch Canada membership. However, proof of vaccination is required for all members to participate in the highest phase of play for all levels (full contact quidditch), or for indoor events and activities. Only once a registered player has joined a team OR registered for an event that Quidditch Canada will reach out to request submission of proof of vaccination.

How will vaccine status be collected?

Vaccination documentation (i.e. vaccine receipt, vaccine passport, or approved vaccination exemption) will be verified independently by one of the following individuals: (1) A designated team administrator, (2) An event tournament director, (3) A Quidditch Canada designated volunteer. Vaccination documentation will be visually confirmed. 

How will vaccine information be stored?

No medical documentation will be stored by Quidditch Canada or its volunteers. 

Are there any exemptions to the vaccine policy? 

Yes. Members can submit an exemption request on the basis of a medical exemption or on the basis of a religious exemption.  Documentation demonstrating proof of requiring an exemption may be required. In the event that an exemption is approved, the member’s team administrator will receive confirmation that the individual is eligible to participate at the highest phase of return to play. Quidditch Canada will not disclose the vaccination status of any one individual. 

Individuals who are exempted from the vaccine requirement will be required to submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to any official game or tournament. The negative test must have been taken within 72 hours of the event. The proof of the negative COVID-19 test must be submitted to the Quidditch Canada Events Director, with receipt of confirmation, prior to their participation at the event or practice.

What vaccinations are considered to be approved by Quidditch Canada?

Approved vaccines are determined by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

What activities are permitted for my team if members do not submit proof of vaccination and/or exemption?

A registered team with members who do not meet the vaccine requirements are ineligible for the inter-team play (Phase 4 or 5 of play). A team must meet the Phase 4 criteria before it is eligible to play against or practice with other teams. Any teams who are determined to be participating at a lower phase can still participate in socially distant, low-contact activities, as outlined in the Return to Quidditch guidelines.

Are non-registered participants able to participate in my team’s activities?

Teams may permit non-registered participants to participate in quidditch activities at their own discretion. Quidditch Canada strongly recommends that non-registered participants aged 17+ wear masks if participating in full-contact activities.

My team would like to hold tryout events and open practices prior to having members fully register, however we would like for participants to meet Quidditch Canada’s vaccine requirements prior to their participation. Can I independently ask individuals to show proof of vaccination?

Quidditch Canada recommends that team administrators do not ask non-members for vaccine status, but does encourage that team administrators explain the policy to prospective members so they have full transparency of our regulations. We are conscientious of the ways that vaccine rollouts have been inequitable along race and class lines, and that there are complex realities around vaccine access in communities across Canada. 

What are the sanctions for a registered player who participates in Phase 4 or 5 of play without submitting this information, or who submits false information through the verification form? 

Quidditch Canada’s Executive Director, Member Safety Coordinator, and Events Director will investigate the circumstances of any player found to be participating in the highest phase of play (inter-team play) without submitting proof of vaccination or an eligible exemption, or who is suspected of submitting false information.

Based on the findings of that investigation, sanctions may include: (1) Temporary player suspension from activities; (2) Temporary team administrator and/or coach suspension from activities; (3) Temporary team suspension from activities; or (4) Permanent player suspension from NSO Membership

I have other questions about the vaccine policy.

Please contact covid19@quidditchcanada.com for any other questions regarding this policy.

 

 

 

 

External Links
Where can I find more information?

For the most up to date information regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, please refer to:

 

For information by province or territory:

 

QUADBALL CANADA

Quadball Canada and its activities are not licensed by, sponsored by, or associated with Warner Bros., J.K. Rowling, or their affiliates.  ‘Quidditch,’ ‘Harry Potter’ and all related names, characters, and indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. – Harry Potter publishing rights © J.K. Rowling.

© 2023 Quadball Canada

Charitable Registration Number: 820553188RR0001