COVID-19 Update

Covid-19 Update #5 June 1st, 2020

Covid-19 Update #4 April 8, 2020

Covid-19 Update #3 (March 19, 2020)

Notice Received from Alberta Gymnastics federation:

Alberta Declares State of Emergency Prompting Further Event Cancellations and Club Closures

On March 17, 2020 the Government of Alberta declared a state of emergency under the Public Health Act. New public health measures were recommended to limit the time Albertans spend in large crowds and crowded spaces. The following took immediate effect:

• all events over 50 people to be cancelled
• no attendance at gyms, recreational centres, casinos, bingo halls, bars, theatres and other facilities
• sit-down restaurants can remain open at lower capacity

For full details please visit the Government of Alberta COVID-19 coronavirus info for Albertans webpage. 
 
Further AGF Event Cancellations Effective Today
In response to Alberta’s announcement, the Alberta Gymnastics Federation (AGF) in partnership with our local organizing committees (LOCs) and host venues, have made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of our provincial events as follows:

• Artistic Provincial Championships | April 17 – 19
• T&T Provincial Championships | April 24 – 26
• Gymfest | April 25 – 26
• Alberta Compulsory Championships | May 1 – 3

Please note that AGF is exploring alternative ways to select athletes for Canadian Championships should that event still take place.

Status of Western Canadian Championships and Canadian Championships
Western Canadian Championships (April 29 – May 3) have been cancelled: Gymnastics B.C. and Delta Gymnastics made the official announcement on March 18, 2020.

Canadian Championships (May 19 – 24) are still under review: On March 18, 2020, Gymnastics Canada issued a statement that they believe it is important to continue with plans to host this competition and are looking at options to postpone for up to 4 weeks. Given the fluidity of the current situation, they may need to re-assess that ‘window’ as the COVID-19 situation develops. View full GymCan update.

Clubs are Advised to Stay Closed Until Further Notice
AGF member clubs have done an outstanding job of taking proactive measures to help prevent further spread of COVID-19. All member clubs have voluntarily closed their gyms and adjusted programming to ensure full and timely compliance with provincial and federal government recommendations.
 
Due to the current state of emergency in Alberta, and upon recommendation from AGF’s insurance providers (Markel and Toole Peet), all AGF member clubs are strongly advised to keep their facilities closed and not resume gymnastics programming until further notice from AGF. Please be reminded that there is no coverage for members who fall ill due to COVID-19 as per Markel’s Contagion Exclusion.

Resources are Available
Daily updates are being made to AGF’s COVID-19 webpage as we continue to work with partners on compiling resources that may be of help to our members at this time. Please check back often.
 
AGF Staff Availability
To help slow the spread of COVID-19, most AGF staff are now working from home. Remote working procedures have been put in place to ensure the efficient operation of our office. All employees can be reached by email or phone from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. View AGF staff contact details.
 
We thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding and will continue to keep members updated on changes as they occur.
 
Sincerely,
Your AGF Team

Covid-19 Update #2 (March 16, 2020)

Dear Members,

 Thank you for your patience as we navigate through these challenging times.

 There are many levels that we need to consider as they affect both members and staff.

Please be aware that we are taking the matter very seriously and have been constantly evaluating this COVID-19 situation.

 Effective immediately our FACILITY is CLOSED.

How does this affect you?

Our LEAPAH’S LEARNING GARDEN PRE-SCHOOL is closed until further notice. We will be contacting you individually in regards to your payment plan.

For our RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS, we are cancelling the final week of the Winter session (March 16-22) – your report cards will be emailed to you over the course of the week.

 For those who have registered in our Spring session or the Spring Break events they are cancelled effective immediately. Any fees already paid will be credited to your account, if you so choose you can receive a refund. Please note a $5.00 admin fee will be applied to refunds to offset our system fees. If you would like your fees refunded please email contractadmin@ortonagymnastics.com or complete our online form, found here https://www.ortonagymnastics.com/register/request-cancellation/.

 A condensed Spring session may be considered and current registrants will receive priority sign-up.

 For our CONTRACT PROGRAMS – coaches will be contacting athletes, so they may continue conditioning from home during this time.

We will be re-evaluating weekly as to the possibility of re-starting training sessions.

 For the duration of the closure the hours missed will be credited.

 Please check periodically for updates.

www.ortonagymnastics.com

 Thank you, as the health of our athletes and staff are our top priority.

 Should you have any questions, we are here to support you.

OGC Management & Board

Covid-19 Update #1

All recreational & competitive Ortona programs are proceeding as scheduled. As per ministry directives, Leapah’s Learning Garden Preschool will be closed. We will be issuing updates and keeping everyone informed.

At present the risk to Albertans from the novel COVID-19 (coronavirus) has been categorized as LOW by Alberta public health officials. 

From the Alberta Government site – corona-virus info:

COVID-19 is transmitted through person-to-person spread by:

• larger droplets, like from a cough or sneeze
• touching contaminated objects or surfaces, then touching your eyes, nose or mouth

COVID-19 is not airborne and cannot spread through the air over long distances or times, like the measles.

Studies suggest that the virus generally only lasts a few hours on a surface, though it may be possible for it to last several days under ‘ideal conditions’.

TO REDUCE THE RISK TO OUR MEMBERS:

• coaches are having athletes wash/sanitize their hands before and after each practice;
• we have increased accessibility of hand sanitizers in the gym;
• staff are regularly disinfecting all high-touch areas, common areas, and viewing areas;
• we are increasing our gym cleanings;
• we have removed stamps and stamp pads from the gym area and replaced them with stickers;
• The facility is also taking disinfecting procedures and extra hand sanitizer stations for the facility have been ordered

Preventing further spread:

In order to assist with containing COVID-19, we encourage the following:

• Stay home if you feel unwell
• Frequently wash your hands

• Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with SOAP & WATER.  If soap & water are not an option, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer may be used.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Practice respiratory hygiene
• Follow good respiratory hygiene; cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze (dispose of the used tissue immediately).
• Keep at least 1 metre distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
• If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early

• If you have COVID-19 symptoms and have travelled outside Canada or were exposed to someone who has COVID-19, stay home and call Health Link 811 for instructions.
• Do not go to a health care facility without consulting 811 first. If you need immediate medical attention, call 911 and inform them that you may have COVID-19.

For up to date information on the Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) you can use the following links:

Alberta Gymnastics Federation: https://www.abgym.ab.ca/Safe-Sport/COVID-19-Updates

University of Alberta: https://www.ualberta.ca/services/health-centre/coronavirus-info/index.html

The Government of Alberta: https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx

Alberta Health Services: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page16944.aspx

We will continue to monitor the information on COVID-19 and will contact you with any updates as they occur.

For questions or concerns surrounding this policy, or to report a diagnosis, please contact executivedirector@ortonagymnatics.com  or kelseyt@ortonagymnastics.com