CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATES
Updated: March 18, 2020 2:45pm
Government of Saskatchewan declares state of emergency.
The Government of Saskatchewan today (March 18) declared a provincial State of Emergency, giving the government broad powers to address the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes measures like the ability to limit travel to or from a community or region of the province and directing that property or equipment be deployed to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
The government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Health Officer, also made a number of new orders to reduce the risk to Saskatchewan people, prevent transmission and ensure that acute care services are preserved for residents most at risk for severe illness.
The following measures are effective immediately:
• Public gatherings larger than 50 people are prohibited.
• All gyms, fitness centres, casinos and bingo halls are ordered to close until further notice.
For the full press release please see the link HERE
What this means for Gym Sask members?
All Gym Sask member clubs must now suspend all activity until further notice.
UPDATE FROM MARCH 16, 2020
At Gymnastics Saskatchewan (Gym Sask), the health and safety of gymnasts, their families, coaches, judges and volunteers are of the utmost importance. Effective March 16, 2020 the Government of Saskatchewan has ordered the cancellation of all public gatherings of over 250 people in any one room until further notice. As of March 20, 2020, schools will be closed indefinitely. With this order coming from the Government Gym Sask has made the difficult decision to cancel and or postpone ALL Gym Sask sanctioned competitions until further notice. Gym Sask is recommending that all member clubs cancel regular training and classes until further notice. Although this is our recommendation, the decision can be made by each individual club (in consideration of the provincial order) as they see fit based on review of their own situation. Gym Sask is committed to providing support to our members during this difficult time. As this is a fluid situation, we are constantly monitoring this and will update members as needed.
Please be advised that we are constantly seeking professional and organizational input on this matter from our colleagues in the provincial and national sport system. We are also regularly checking the FIG and GymCan websites for updates to their events. Below you will find a summary of known cancellations and postponed events involving Gym Sask members.
Saskatchewan Events
- Yorkton Springers Invitational – March 20-22, 2020 CANCELLED
- QCGC Invitational – March 27-29, 2020 POSTPONED
- Can Am Invitational – April 3-5, 2020 POSTPONED
- Wascana Shoot for the Stars – April 4-5, 2020 POSTPONED
Cancelled/Postponed events outside of Saskatchewan
- Planet Rhythmic Competition – March 13-15, 2020
- Jurassic Classic/UCIC – March 19-22, 2020
- TG Elite Canada – March 18-22, 2020
- RG Western Regional Championships – April 7-11, 2020
- Artistic Western Championships – April 30 – May 3, 2020
- Canadian Championships will be updated once we receive information
Gym Sask staff will be working remotely until further notice. All communication will be done by email.
Thank you.
Gymnastics Saskatchewan Board of Directors & Staff
UPDATE FROM MARCH 13, 2020
At Gymnastics Saskatchewan (Gym Sask), the health and safety of gymnasts, their families, coaches, judges and volunteers are of the utmost importance. Effective March 16, 2020 the Government of Saskatchewan has ordered the cancellation of all public gatherings of over 250 people in any one room until further notice. Gym Sask is closely monitoring the development and spread of COVID-19 and reviewing possible changes to events on a case by case basis. Please be advised that we are constantly seeking professional and organizational input on this matter from our colleagues in the provincial and national sport system. We are also regularly checking the FIG and GymCan websites for updates to their events. Below you will find a summary of known cancellations and postponed events involving Gym Sask members.
- Planet Rhythmic Competition – March 13-15, 2020
- Jurassic Classic/UCIC – March 19-22, 2020
- TG Elite Canada – March 18-22, 2020
- RG Western Regional Championships – April 7-11, 2020
Events with attendance less than 250 people that do not involve international attendees, high risk populations, and critical infrastructure staff are still allowable, this includes regular training and classes. However, Gym Sask is recommending that all Gym Sask member clubs cancel any invitational gymnastics competitions beginning March 16, 2020 until further notice. Although this is our recommendation, the decision can be made by each individual club (in consideration of the provincial order) as they see fit based on review of their own situation. We are recommending to our member clubs the following enhanced protocols be put in place to ensure the health and safety of all our members if they do decide to continue to run their events and programs.
- During events a deep clean and sanitization is performed between sessions on equipment, bleachers and bathrooms
- Clubs may limit spectator access to competing athletes’ immediate family only
- That additional focus is placed on high use surfaces and areas by disinfecting those surfaces, door handles and railings during class turnovers by staff
- A reminder for all individuals to stay home if they are not feeling well
- Reminding staff to wash their hands before and after every class
- A reminder to everyone to cover both their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing; try to cough into your arm, away from others, or into tissue paper (to be disposed into toilet), then wash your hands immediately afterwards
- Reminding all participants that they are not to share water bottles, lip chap, towels etc.
- Refrain from giving high fives or handshakes
- Reminding all participants to wash their hands upon arrival at the gym and at the conclusion of their class
- Asking parents to minimize their time in the viewing area and to avoid bringing siblings who are not participating in a gymnastics class to the facility
Future Events
Gym Sask is constantly evaluating the status of future events in our province and will provide an update when one is available.
The risk is still considered to be very low for contracting COVID-19 in Saskatchewan. We know that this is a personal decision each family will have to make based on what they think is best for their child when choosing to participate in extra-curricular activities which we completely understand and respect. The Gym Sask Board of Directors and staff will continue to monitor the situation and communicate with our members as the need arises
Thank you.
Gymnastics Saskatchewan Board of Directors & Staff
Gymnastics Canada has created a page on their website that will be updated as needed for information on National and International events.
Link to Gymnastics Canada’s page is HERE.
Government of Saskatchewan resources HERE
World Health Organization: HERE