-- Update From May 27, 2021

Rugby Ontario is eagerly anticipating the restart of rugby activities in the province.  Thank you for your continued patience since the Government of Ontario’s announcement on May 22, 2021, which outlined plans for the easing of restrictions for outdoor activities in a new reopening framework - the Roadmap to Reopen.   

We are currently awaiting the formal Government of Ontario regulations outlining exactly what is permitted for organized sport in the three-step Roadmap to Reopen. As a result, we are unable to provide an updated Return to Play Plan until the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries releases sport specific details about the restrictions in Step 1.  This is essential in ensuring compliance and proper application of RTP protocols, and to protect the safety and wellbeing of all participants.  

The information provided to the public at this stage is all that Rugby Ontario has available. We know that Step 1 of the Roadmap to Reopen is set to begin mid-June and will permit group gatherings of up to 10 people for outdoor activities (training only, no games), with a requirement to maintain 3-metre physical distance between participants.  However, we do not have further clarity on exactly what additional restrictions will be enforced in Step 1. The estimated start date of Step 1 is June 14, 2021 (subject to change by government). 

Rugby Ontario has submitted a request to the Ministry to seek clarification and confirmation on several details that will likely impact the reopening, so that we can continue to provide our membership with the guidance and support you require.  Additionally, Rugby Ontario is in regular communication with other provincial sport organizations, and we are actively engaged in on-going discussions on the shared concerns of the sport sector.  

We recognize many of our member clubs are actively preparing for an imminent return to rugby and you eagerly await more direction.  As always, we are consistently monitoring and adjusting to the ongoing situation and will provide further updates as soon as we have more explicit information.  

If you have any questions please contact us at covid19manager@rugbyontario.com

-- Update From May 21, 2021

Yesterday the Ontario Government announced a 3 Step Roadmap to Safely Reopen the Province. This "Roadmap to Reopen" will result in further changes to our Provincial Return To Play Plan. Reviewing and revising our RTP Plan will take time and we ask for your patience while we align our documents with the new emergency orders. 

As of this Saturday, some recreational amenities are permitted to re-open, such as golf courses, tennis courts, and sport fields. However, team sports, including Rugby, are still prohibited from being practised or played, and a suspension of rugby activity within Ontario will remain in effect. 

Based on current trends the government expects to enter Step 1 of the Roadmap to Reopen the week of June 14, 2021. In the meantime, we will work to align our RTP documents and processes to ensure our clubs are in the best position to return to rugby when we are permitted to do so. 

If you have any questions please contact us at covid19manager@rugbyontario.com