(604) 333-3640 | info@bcartisticswimming.ca
March 16, 2020
The following statement is issued as of 12:00 pm, March 16, 2020. Information is changing rapidly and as it becomes available, BC Artistic Swimming will issue updates to all members and participants on our website, via email, and through social media.
The health and well-being BC Artistic Swimming’s members is of primary concern during these uncertain times. Since releasing our position on March 12, 2020, we have continued to monitor information being made available by reliable sources including the Public Health Agency of Canada, British Columbia’s Ministry of Health, BC’s Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, and the health authorities around the province.
Based on the latest recommendation of Canada’s Prime Minister and BC’s Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC Artistic Swimming is suspending all artistic swimming activities in British Columbia effective immediately and until further notice. This includes all in-person activities by all BC Artistic Swimming members and member clubs.
This decision is based on the most recent information about the COVID-19 virus in B.C. and across Canada as well as our responsibility to support our communities in implementing social distancing. This decision is further supported by many municipalities who have taken the preventative measures to close sport and recreation facilities.
Please be advised this suspension of all activities means that clubs, coaches and athletes do not have the required insurance coverage to participate in artistic swimming activities and must not resume doing so until the suspension is lifted by BC Artistic Swimming. During this time, we encourage you to be creative in using social media and virtual connections to communicate with one another and to stay active. BC Artistic Swimming will be sharing ideas and activities through social media – we are in this together!
All other information presented in our statement of March 12, 2019, below, remains in effect as it relates to upcoming competitions, the provincial Ignite program, health protocols, and out of country travel.
As new information is available, BC Artistic Swimming will continue to update all members and participants on our website, through email to Officials and Club leadership, and through social media.
Please direct any questions or concerns to ed@bcartisticswimming.ca or 604-333-3642.
We hope that all of you and your families all remain safe and in good health.
RaeAnne Rose Jennifer Keith
President Executive Director
T: 604-790-7263 T: 604-333-3642
E: president@bcartisticswimming.ca E: ed@bcartisticswimming.ca
March 12, 2020
The following statement is issued as of 9:00 pm, March 12, 2020. Information is changing rapidly and as it becomes available, BC Artistic Swimming will issue updates to all members and participants on our website, via email, and through social media.
BC Artistic Swimming and our national governing body, Canada Artistic Swimming, take the health and well-being our athletes and stakeholders very seriously. We share the global concerns related to the spread of the corona virus COVID-19 and are committed to trust and respect the opinions and direction of the world’s health organizations including the Public Health Agency of Canada, British Columbia’s Ministry of Health, BC’s Chief Medical Health Officer Bonnie Henry, and the local health authorities around the province with respect to any action we take to minimize risk to our participants.
Canada's pandemic goals are: 1) to minimize serious illness and overall deaths, and 2) to minimize societal disruption among Canadians. This approach will guide Canada's response to COVID-19 and is based on currently available scientific evidence, expert opinion, and public health assumptions. BC Artistic Swimming will continue to follow their lead and respond to their recommendations.
At this time, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Province of BC have assessed the public health risk associated with COVID-19 as low for the general population in Canada. However, as of March 12, BC’s Chief Medical Health Officer has stated that all public events with more than 250 people should be cancelled.
BCAS’ next event is the Mable Moran Championships, April 24-26 at City Centre Aquatic Complex in Coquitlam. Because information is changing rapidly, BC Artistic Swimming intends to make a decision by Tuesday April 7 whether we must cancel this event, unless we must do so earlier. Regardless, clubs, athletes, and families may decide not to attend this competition and if so, all competitors will still qualify for provincials and any fees paid will be refunded.
For information and decisions on Canada Artistic Swimming’s National Qualifier, please check the Qualifier website regularly. At this time, any team that chooses not to attend National Qualifiers will automatically qualify for Canadian Championships. For solos and duets hoping to qualify for the Canadian Championships, CAS is currently planning an appropriate pathway.
Should we be able to proceed with competitions this season, CAS has developed a phased approach to competition implementation that will be followed by CAS and BCAS. See page 4 of this package.
The Ignite Program is currently on a planned break until June 2020. An update will be provided by May 1st if any changes to the program will be implemented.
At this time, BC’s Chief Medical Health Officer has not provided directives that would indicate that clubs should cease operations. BCAS will continue to monitor her directives and will issue a statement when there is any information that would impact Club operations or participation decisions.
We encourage all Clubs to monitor the rapidly changing recommendations from the Canadian and British Columbian health authorities and, in consultation with your members, decide whether to attend upcoming competitions, participate in travel, or proceed with planned training.
Information packages and posters will be available in the coming days for use by all artistic swimming clubs to encourage good health protocols. BC Artistic Swimming requests that all Clubs implement these protocols immediately as they apply in the club training environment. See page 3 of this package for health protocols for immediate implementation.
For teams that are considering out of country travel, please note that BC’s Chief Medical Health Officer announced today that she advises against travel outside of Canada and anyone traveling outside of the country will be required to self-quarantine for 2 weeks on return. As well, bids will not be approved to countries with travel restrictions. It is also important to check with applicable providers or insurers for any cancellation policies or travel health insurance policies regarding coverage as it relates to COVID‐19.
Sincerely,
BC Artistic Swimming and Canada Artistic Swimming have a phased implementation strategy for any events that proceed:
1. If the situation reaches a point where the Canadian or provincial health authorities suggest greater vigilance than now, augmented registration procedures will be introduced to check all athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials and other participants for any signs of the virus before issuing accreditation or entering competition facilities. Research is being done now to better understand how this might be executed and will be included in future communication.
2. Anyone who presents with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 will be isolated until they can be seen by a local medical clinic for a definitive diagnosis. Decisions made based on a confirmed diagnosis will follow the procedures outlined by the various health authorities.
1. Based on health authority recommendations, the event may be:
a. Closed to spectators
b. Canceled if required to do so
c. Other recommendations
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