Kids 12+ will need to be fully vaccinated to play competitive winter sports: TDSB
Posted November 26, 2021 1:22 pm.
Last Updated November 26, 2021 1:24 pm.
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) says it will require all students aged 12 and over to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in order to play winter sports that involve “competition between schools, mixing of students and travel to other TDSB schools and/or external venues.”
In a statement, TDSB spokesperson Ryan Bird said for students playing sports that only occur within their schools and only with students from their school, being vaccinated is recommended but not required at this time.
“This decision is consistent with recommendations from Toronto Public Health and has been made with the health and safety of students and staff in mind, as getting vaccinated helps ensure strong protection against COVID-19,” Bird wrote. “The TDSB decision also follows other school boards that require student vaccination to participate in sports.
The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) told CityNews it is “strongly considering” a similar mandate, but at this point has not made vaccination mandatory for the participation in winter sports.
Bird added that many school sport competitions take place at facilities that already require proof of vaccination to enter.
“Students will be required to upload proof of vaccination … to participate on any inter-school team,” he said. “In rare cases where a student is unable to be vaccinated, we will work with Toronto Public Health and staff to develop a process to support these students so they can safely participate where possible.”
Now that vaccines have been approved and are being doled out to the five to 11 age group, the TDSB says it will follow Toronto Public Health recommendations “and establish any additional vaccination requirements for this age group as necessary.”
