Date: May 20, 2020
To:
[MPP First Name Last Name]
[MPP Mailing Address]
From:
Randy Horton
Executive Director,
The Ontario Union of Martial Artists
249 Main Street,
Glencoe, ON
N0L1M0
Re: COVID-19 Re-Opening Guidelines for Martial Arts Organizations in Ontario
CC: Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries
Dear [MPP Salutation, First Name Last Name],
I am writing to you today to ask you to support your local martial arts community. Your community’s martial artists are family members, school teachers, health care workers, children and business owners. I ask that you consider the attached Martial Arts Club re-opening guidelines as a step in our provinces’s economic recovery plan.
The guidelines are for the first stage re-opening of Martial Arts Organizations that prioritize the safe return to martial arts as a cultural and community practice, and local economic contributor.
The Ontario Union of Martial Artists represents 30 Martial Arts Clubs throughout Ontario and nearly 900 Martial Artists. We are a smaller organization , but share common practives with all martial artists in almost every community, large or small, throughout Ontario.
- Our first priority is the health and safety of our community
- The guidelines are specific to martial arts practice, and modelled from the Ontario Public Health Association, Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) resources, Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Prevention Services, and the Ontario government’s guidelines.
- The recommendations focus on social distancing, sanitation, facility and capacity controls as well as education, training for safe instruction and participation in non-contact martial arts.
Martial arts classes develop self-confidence, physical dexterity, well-being and promote mental health. While youth and children are in martial arts summer camps, parents are able to return to work. Martial arts can be practiced in socially distanced ways similar to gymnastics or fencing activities that are already approved in Phase 1 of Ontario’s economic recovery plan.
I urge you to please review the attached guidelines as a starting point to support our community.
Sincerely,
Randy Horton.
Legal Notice: The below checklist and resource guide is not a legal document and should not be considered as legal advice. The OUMA accepts no responsibility for causes, effects or outcomes related to implementing any of the recommendations outlined. This document is intended for information only.
The below check-list and guidelines are specific for Martial Arts Clubs to consider while planning the first stage to re-open.
The guidelines provide a framework that can be expanded upon as the Global Pandemic impact is reduced, and a return to full operation is possible.
The ability for Martial Arts Clubs to satisfy the guidelines should be considered when determining if they are able to open during a phased re-opening initiative or whether they are able to return to business all together.
Pre-Requisite Compliance Statement | ||
The club owner has ensured the business operates in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations made under it.
Review the Ontario Government Website’s ‘Prevent Covid-19 In the Workplace’. page |
Yes | No |
The club owner shall operate the business in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of public health officials, including any advice, recommendations or instructions on physical distancing, cleaning, disinfecting and facility modifications.
Review Ontario’s Public Safety and Health Association’s Website ‘COVID-19 Precautions When Working as A Social and Community Services Worker ‘. page |
Yes | No |
Section 1: Martial Arts Club Pre-Opening Requirements | ||||
Question | Yes | No | NA | Control Options/Actions |
1.1: Have you reviewed the health requirements with the local authority regarding building capacity, social distancing, air ventilation etc. |
|
|||
1.2: Have you limited the types of training that will be permitted in order to support social distancing and the safe practice of martial arts techniques? |
|
|||
1.3: Has complete cleaning/disinfecting of all work surfaces been completed? |
|
|||
1.4: Are appropriate PPE readily available when instructors and students return? |
|
|||
1.5: Are class times scheduled to allow for students to arrive and leave without collisions with students from other classes? |
|
|||
1.6: Have you confirmed what students are returning and established a training schedule that supports capacity requirements of local health and safety authorities |
|
|||
1.7: Have you established additional health and safety practices for children programs? |
|
|||
Section 2: Martial Arts Club Pre-Opening Guidelines | ||||
Question | Yes | No | NA | Control Options/Actions |
2.1: Will the facilities need to be modified to support public health protocols? |
|
|||
2.2: Is the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) established for the Martial Arts Organization? |
|
|||
2.3: Have the JHSC members completed a facility and training area inspection? |
|
|||
2.4: Are compliance training (Health and Safety) records up to date to ensure members of the JHSC are able to perform adequate inspections and recommendations? |
|
|||
2.5: Are any new signage for instructors or students required? |
|
|||
2.6: Will you require health screening for all visitors to the Martial Arts Club? |
|
|||
2.7: Will business hours and training schedules need to be modified? |
|
|||
Section 3: Occupational Health and Safety Requirements | ||||
Question | Yes | No | NA | Control Options/Actions |
3.1: Has job appropriate and mandated Health and Safety training been completed or scheduled for returning instructors or staff? |
|
|||
3.2: Are mental health strategies implemented to assist students, instructors and staff adapt to the new processes? |
|
|||
3.3: Do you have a plan in place if you suspect a staff member, instructor or student of being ill and possibly infectious? |
|
This checklist has been modified from the Ontario Workplace Safety & Prevention Services checklist available from the WSPS Website.