Blazers COVID-19 Update
Following public announcements released last week pertaining to Covid-19 vaccination requirements for all students participating in in-person learning in 2021-22 made by several post-secondary institutions in Manitoba, including Canadian Mennonite University, Blazers Athletics would like to set clear policies regarding athlete participation, mask use, and spectators during the first weeks of the academic year. A portion of CMU's release is included at the end of this article; the full article can be found at www.cmu.ca.
Participation in Tryouts and Varsity Athletics
In accordance with CMU's vaccination schedule which requires students and staff to have their first vaccine dose on or before August 31, 2021, and their second dose on or before September 30, 2021, CMU varsity athletes and coaches will be required to provide proof of vaccination to participate in tryouts for the indoor sports of volleyball and basketball, including the men's volleyball tryout scheduled for August 28. Declaration of one's current vaccine status will be made through a declaration form that was issued from the registrar's office on August 25.
Outdoor soccer tryouts prior to September 1 are not limited to vaccinated students, however, all players that continue training with their respective team will be required to have their first vaccine dose by August 31, 2021, and second dose by September 30, 2021 in order to be eligible for further participation.
Mask Mandates
Masks will be required in all restricted indoor spaces such as the weight room, team rooms, changing facilities, and buses until at least October 14, 2021 to allow all vaccinated student-athletes to reach full immunity. This mandate applies to all restricted indoor facilities on CMU campus as well as at away events and home soccer events held at the Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex which will be viewed as an extension of the CMU campus. An update for mask use indoors will be released no later than October 9, 2021 and mask mandates are subject to change at any time according to the latest Provincial Health Orders. Mask use during training and competition indoors will be in accordance with the governing Provincial Sport Organizations.
Spectator Participation
Seen as an extension of the CMU campus during home events, Blazers Athletics is requiring that all spectators for CMU soccer home games at the Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex are vaccinated. Spectators will also be requested to wear masks when seated unless distanced by 2-meters from those outside their household. The grandstands at John Scouras Field provide ample space to physically distance while enjoying Blazers soccer home events so mask-wearing will only be requested rather than required. Any pre-season indoor basketball or volleyball sporting events held prior to October 9 will only allow current CMU students wearing masks, to attend. An update regarding spectator allowance for indoor sporting events will come on October 9, 2021 in conjunction with a further announcement on mask use.
Statement from Canadian Mennonite University
Canadian Mennonite University is committed to honouring the health, safety, and well-being of the community as a whole. Our collective health is reliant on shared habits and responsibilities of students, staff, and faculty in this time of COVID-19 and always. As we move into the 2021/22 school year the ongoing health risks of COVID-19 remain highly concerning, even with exemplary vaccination rates in Manitoba. Thus, all CMU students, staff, and faculty are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 in accordance with the schedule listed below. We make this announcement with recognition that many members of the CMU community already have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
In keeping with the overwhelming consensus of scientific and health authorities globally, CMU views vaccination as a safe and necessary way to stop the transmission of COVID-19 and to protect the health of the population globally. As such, CMU sees vaccination as a social responsibility and an expression of care for others in our community and far beyond our setting. In asking its students, staff, and faculty to be vaccinated, the CMU community will do its part towards ending the run of this virus.
All students, staff, and faculty who will be on campus this fall will be required to attest to their COVID-19 vaccination status prior to September 1 and also may be required to show proof of vaccination status. Dates for vaccination requirements are as follows: August 31, 2021 (1st dose) and September 30, 2021 (2nd dose). CMU will consider requests for exemption in a manner consistent with the Human Rights Code of Manitoba.
Printed from: blazers.cmu.ca/blazers-covid-19-update
