Sports, Recreation and Being Active During COVID-19

⚠ Provincial announcement: All adults aged 18 and over are now eligible to receive the bivalent booster dose. The new paediatric Pfizer vaccine is also vaccine available for children aged between six months to under five years old. 

⚠ Second dose appointments for children six months to five years are now available:  An interval of eight weeks is recommended between dose 1 and 2 to maximize the duration of vaccine protection.  Appointments are available for booking through the online provincial booking system.

⚠ If you have come in contact with someone who has symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19 on a PCR test or Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), visit our isolation instructions for COVID-19 web page. Take this self-assessment if you have any symptoms of illness or tested positive for COVID-19.

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Last revised on May 11, 2022

The Government of Ontario recently announced changes to O. Reg 364/20 that came into effect at 12:01 am on March 1, 2022. This page will soon be updated accordingly.

For information on regulatory restrictions in place for Ontario and the City of Ottawa, please see:

On this page: 

Being active during COVID-19

Getting physical activity and fresh air is important for our overall mental and physical well-being. There are ways to be active, whether at home or outside, while maintaining physical distance and being affected by being SOCIAL-Wise.

Know your risks

Certain groups are at a higher risk for COVID-19 (e.g., older adults, people with weakened immune systems or people with chronic health conditions) and should take extra precautions.  Activities have high to low levels of risk when it comes to spreading the virus.  It is important to note that there is no such thing as zero risk.

Activities such as sports, and recreation activities are high risk for COVID-19 transmission due to close contact, heavy breathing during activity, and often in indoor spaces.  It is important to note that although measures can be taken to ensure participation is as safe as possible, there will still be a risk for COVID-19 while participating.

Ottawa Public Health advocates for individuals to make informed decisions as to whether they engage in various activities.

Sport and Social Cluster, September 2021

One person with COVID-19 played an organized sport game (GAME 1) outdoors. The next day they developed symptoms of COVID-19. This person delayed testing and attended a social gathering and school while experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. An additional person with COVID-19 symptoms, who did not attend GAME 1, attended a social event with players from GAME 1. Both individuals delayed COVID-19 testing after developing symptoms and had not received a COVID-19 vaccine. This led to 26 people testing positive for COVID-19 (and that number is continuing to rise) over a 23-day period:

  • 247 high-risk contacts
  • five high schools impacted and 13 cohorts dismissed
  • one long-term care home impacted

Additional background:

  • All individuals confirmed to have COVID-19 had not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, though all met age-based eligibility criteria for vaccination.
  • Five individuals attended school and other community settings while symptomatic and delayed testing for more than five days after having symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Players in GAME 1 did not wear masks or maintain physical distance.
  • The social gathering was held indoors, mask usage and physical distancing was inconsistent. Two individuals attended the social gathering while experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

  • This graphic shows transmission up to September 23. Transmission continues in the community. By September 30, transmission spread to include an additional 11 people testing positive for COVID-19, 217 more high-risk contacts and led to the closure of an elementary school.

  • All transmission shown in schools and sports games involves youth over the age of 12.

  • To avoid double counting the number of people with COVID-19, individuals are only shown in the setting they were initially exposed to the virus and not counted again in locations they attended following transmission.

  • The number of contacts at each setting reflects the total number of people present. Some individuals were present at more than one location and have been included in each setting in this graphic.
  • The shaded locations are areas where the individual(s) with COVID-19 attended but transmission did not occur / does not appear to have occurred and there were no high-risk contacts identified by September 23. They are included in the graphic to highlight the impact of preventative measures taken in schools, business, and long-term care homes.
Sports cluster - Part 1

This timeline for this infographic is between October 2 and October 20, 2020. Prior to October 10, in accordance with Stage 3 regulations from the province, sports team practices were permitted to have up to 50 people who were in the same league.

On October 10, Ottawa transitioned to Modified Stage 2 regulations from the province, which permit up to 10 people at a team practice indoors, in line with indoor gathering limits.

OPH has been working closely with sport organization partners in the community. The changes made by province regarding sports teams helped address some of these concerns. We must all continue to be COVIDWise when participating in organized team sports by wearing a mask, isolating from others when we are sick, staying two metres apart from those outside our households and exercising proper hand hygiene.

Additional background:

  • The index case was asymptomatic when they attended the Team A practice
  • Masks were not consistently worn during team practices
  • People carpooled to team practices with members from outside their households without consistent mask use
  • Spectators/parents mingled outside team practices without consistent mask use or physical distancing
  • Coaches and players interacted with members from multiple teams
  • All exposure to COVID-19 shown in the graphic occurred in Ottawa
  • A presumptive case is an individual who is a close contact of someone who has COVID-19 and has COVID-19 like symptoms but did not get tested
Sports cluster - Part 2

This is a visual representation of a community transmission cluster involving one person (asymptomatic) with COVID-19 who attended an indoor hockey team practice. This transmission event resulted in:

  • 89 people confirmed to have COVID-19
  • 445 high risk contacts who needed to self-isolate
  • Four outbreaks in schools
  • One outbreak in a daycare
  • 10 sports teams/practices impacted

The text on the infographic highlights some factors that played a role in the widespread transmission of COVID-19 in this cluster. Our individual and collective actions matter. As a result of this cluster, Ottawa Public Health worked with stakeholders to reduce high-risk behaviours, encouraged play SMART and developed educational materials and resources to limit COVID-19 transmission in sports. 
Choose Safer Options – Be SMART

Transmission of COVID-19 is possible before, during and after events and activities. Precautions are required to reduce the risk of transmission while enabling participation to occur.

S – Self screen and Stay home when sick. 

Ensure that you are fit to participate.  Perform a daily self-screening and stay home if you are feeling even a little unwell. 

M – Mitigation Measures 

Implement as many public health measures as possible to ensure layers of protection from the possible spread and transmission of COVID-19. 

  • Masking 
  • Physical distancing 
  • Hand Hygiene & Respiratory Etiquette
  • Cleaning & Disinfection 

A – Adapt  

Adapt the activity to achieve the current provincial guidance, and COVID Wise practices. Ensure that your plans are flexible to change should the current context require it. 

R – Reduce Contacts & Exposure 

When participating in activities, choose wisely and avoid the three C’s. 

Confined or Closed spaces – especially those with poor ventilation.  Outdoors is better than indoors. 

Crowds – the more people, the higher the risk, especially if the crowd is unmasked, talking, singing, shouting or breathing hard (exercising). 

Close Contact – staying further apart is safer than being close together. 

The more C’s the higher the risk. The longer the length of time the greater exposure. 

T – Track your activities 

Have a system in place to track your activities outside the home. 

Ways to stay active

Our neighbourhood sidewalks, streets, multiuse paths and dog parks are all available to get outside and get moving. When doing these activities, some ways to stay safe: 

  • Step-aside or pass others quickly and courteously on sidewalks. Passing someone on the sidewalk is not considered a close contact or a significant risk for exposure to COVID-19.
  • Keep two metres (six feet) distance from others or wear a mask if this is not possible. 
  • When moving at a fast pace (such as when running or cycling), it is best to stay as far away from others as possible.
  • If you must be behind another runner or cyclist, stay well back and try to stagger yourselves to not be directly behind them.
  • Change your route or the time of day that you go out, so that you can follow these guidelines.

Learn more on the guidelines for the use of city parks.

Outdoor and team sports:

Refer to the Province’s COVID-19 public health measures for guidelines and information on what is currently permitted. 

All sports need to be modified to avoid physical contact and SOCIAL-Wise protocols to promote safer participation when permitted within the framework.  

Ideas to stay active at home

If you can’t get outside or don’t have access to a private outdoor space, there are many ways to be active indoors. 

  • Be creative and use what you have at home to keep everyone moving.
  • Access online resources for both live and recorded activities to get you moving at home:

COVID-19 guidance for return to sport and recreation and fitness

These guidelines are intended to provide guidance to support facilities and organizers to operate as safely as possible in the COVID-19 context. 

Sector specific guidance for recreational amenities and sports and fitness activities is also available from the Government of Ontario.

To lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission from participating in sports, OPH recommends the following safety precautions:  

  • Practise your sport outside rather than inside whenever possible. If practicing indoors, ensure you are in a large and well-ventilated space such as an arena, gymnasium or sports dome.
  • Consider participating in individual sports – such as running, swimming or skiing – over team sports to reduce crowding and close contacts.  
  • Try sports where there is more natural spacing, such as tennis, badminton or mountain biking.    
  • Choose non-contact sports (like ultimate frisbee or dance) over contact sports (like football or soccer), where participants are unable to physically distance from each other.   
  • If participating in multiple sports, try to limit yourself to one sports team/league and choose individual sports as a supplement. 
  • When not actively playing (such as when in changing rooms or during breaks), wear a mask, practise physical distancing, avoid any shared water bottles and snacks and practise regular hand hygiene.  
  • To help combat the spread of COVID-19, all patrons 12 years of age and older are required to submit a Proof of Vaccination in order to participate in organized sports at recreational facilities.

OPH encourages physical activity but strongly advises participants to consider their own personal circumstances and risk factors including risk for exposure to the COVID-19 virus when making decisions about going out and participating in sports and recreation programs.  

  • OPH recognizes that the risk of serious illness from COVID-19 increases progressively with age, particularly beyond 50 years of age. In addition to increasing age, people who have serious underlying medical conditions (such as: cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic lung disease, chronic liver disease, cancer, are immunocompromised) or who are severely obese are at a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. They should take extra precautions and may want to consult with their healthcare provider when considering participating in fitness or sports programs. 

Safety plans

Develop your COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan 

This safety plan must: 

  • Describe measures/procedures that have been or will be implemented in the business, place, facility or establishment to reduce spread of COVID-19. 

  • Include measures for screening, physical distancing, masks, cleaning, disinfecting and personal protective equipment (PPE). 

  • Be in writing and made available to any person for review on request. 

  • Be posted in a visible place to come to the attention of those working or attending the location. 

See the following links for additional information on public health measures for sports and recreational fitness activities and return-to-play framework on minimum requirements to reduce and manage the risk of COVID-19.

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Frequently asked questions

High-risk contact and fully vaccinated

Can I continue playing sports and other group activities if I am a high-risk contact and 

are up to date and received all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including any booster dose(s)?

Group activities such as sports and recreation activities are higher risk for COVID-19 transmission due to close contact, heavy breathing during activity, and often taking place in indoor spaces.  It is important to note that although measures can be taken to ensure participation is as safe as possible, there will still be a risk for COVID-19 transmission to others while participating. While being up to date and having received all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including any booster dose(s) provides strong personal protection against COVID-19 infection, it is still possible to transmit the virus to others.

High-risk contacts who are up to date and received all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including any booster dose(s) can refer to the Passive Screening poster for clear instructions on COVID-19 guidance and next steps. Please refer to the Information for those who have symptoms, test positive for COVID-19 and high-risk contacts webpage for additional information and resources.

Staying informed

How do I stay informed of all the changes to guidance and regulations in sports & recreation?

The Province of Ontario website provides up to date information on the current stage and regulations for the Province. 

Ottawa Public Health Sports, Recreation and Being Active During Covid-19 web page provides information and resources to help you stay Social-Wise during your activities. 

Subscribe to Sports, Recreation and Being Active During COVID-19 Newsletter. 

Screening

What is the difference between active and passive screening?
“Active screening” means that the employer or operator must collect and review information to actively determine whether a person may enter a workplace/business. “Passive screening” occurs when employees/participants assess their own risk factors and decide for themselves whether they may enter the workplace or not. Active screening is usually documented by the organizer and passive screening is not.
Can we use an app or online screening process?

Yes, active screening can be done in person or remotely by telephone, internet, email, or through an app prior to entry.

Employers/Operators must use all the Screening Tool’s questions in their active screening process. If an individual does not pass the screening (i.e., if the individual answers “YES” to any of the questions), they must advise the individual that they cannot enter the workplace or activity (including outdoors/partially outdoor workplaces), must go home, self-isolate and contact their health provider or Telehealth Ontario for further instructions.

For further information visit: Ontario Covid-19 Screening Tools

Wearing masks

Are employees still required to wear masks? 

There is increasing scientific evidence of the effectiveness of masks to prevent community transmission leading to provincial, national, and international public health organizations recommending the wearing of masks when physical distancing cannot be assured.

For more information regarding masking requirements please visit OPH’s Mask webpage.
What are the requirements for masks for participants and athletes in sports, recreation, and fitness settings?

Ottawa Public Health recommends masks are worn in all situations where physical distancing of two metres (six feet) is difficult to maintain – indoors and outdoors. Some outdoor spaces may include, but not limited to, benches, dugouts, and sidelines when physical distancing is not possible. 

To stay up to date with public health measures refer to the Provincial public health measures webpage.

Testing/ Sick protocol

If one participant is sick and leaves to get tested for COVID-19, are there additional steps I should be taking around cleaning, and contacting athletes?

Indoor spaces

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Resources

General

Sports

Recreation

 Recreational Water (Pools)

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Contact information

Provincial Vaccine Information Line

  • 7 days a week, from 8 am to 8 pm
  • Call if you have questions about Ontario's COVID-19 vaccination program.
  • Service is available in multiple languages.
  • Telephone: 1-888-999-6488
  • TTY: 1-866-797-0007

Provincial Testing and Isolation Information Line

  • 7 days a week from 8 am to 6 pm
  • Call if you have questions related to testing eligibility and isolation guidelines
  • Telephone: 1-888-777-0730

Ottawa Public Health Vaccine Booking Line

  • Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
  • Translation is available in multiple languages
  • Telephone: 613-691-5505

Ottawa Public Health COVID-19 Telephone Line

Thanksgiving schedule changes for Monday, October 10, 2022 - The Ottawa Public Health Information Centre and COVID-19 Information Line will be closed.

  • Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
  • Translation is available in multiple languages
  • Telephone: 613-580-6744 follow the prompts to the COVID-19 telephone line
  • TTY: 613-580-9656

Emergency Services

  • If you are in distress (e.g., significant trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting or have a significant worsening of any chronic disease symptoms), do not go to the Assessment Centre or a COVID-19 Care clinic. Go to the nearest Emergency Department or call 911.

How to access help during COVID-19

  • 211 Ontario can help you find financial and social support during COVID-19
  • Telephone: 211

Related information

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