Windsor-Essex schools open gyms, fields to all students, regardless of vaccination status
CBC
Windsor-Essex public and Catholic schools are again opening their fields and gyms to all students for sports and extracurricular activities, no matter their vaccination status.
Extracurricular activities and sports at area schools were shut down before Christmas due to surging Omicron variant cases in Windsor-Essex.
While those activities resumed last month, they were only open to fully-vaccinated students.
Due to falling case numbers, however, all students can again take to area courts and fields, said John Ulicny, executive superintendent of education and human resources with the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board.
"We're excited now to have the opportunity as a board to welcome back into the fold all of our students, to give them that opportunity to participate in sports and extracurricular activities," he said.
Ulicny said some high school sports seasons are underway, including basketball, hockey and volleyball.
Those seasons will conclude in April, with a spring season to follow; the spring season includes baseball, softball, soccer, and track and field. Other activities may be added, as well.
Ulicny said most students who have been unable to play so far this year will likely need to wait until the spring season, although some students may be able to join a season that's currently in progress.
"We spoke to our principals with respect to this, and they're looking at it on a case by case basis, because many of the activities are well underway and are actually close to conclusion," he said. "But it is a full opportunity in the spring for all students to be able to participate regardless of vaccination status."
A restriction on spectators remains in place, but that may be lifted in the near future, depending on provincial directives, Ulicny said.
All staff and coaches will need to be vaccinated, however, or agree to regular rapid COVID-19 tests. Volunteers must also be vaccinated.
Staff and coaches will also be required to wear masks when not engaged in physical activity.
The policy change was good news for W.F. Herman Secondary School Grade 11 student and football player Dean Facca.
"I think it's about time, really," he said. "A lot of the mandates and stuff like that have been lifted."
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