COVID-19 Updates

September 29, 2021

Today we received further information from the Province of Nova Scotia on Phase 5 and the Covid-19 vaccination policy that will go into effect on Monday October 4th.

Based on today’s information on Phase 5, there will no longer be a requirement for physical distancing and there will no longer be gathering limits for our approved swim clubs during team functions, training, or competition. Masks will still be required (not while in the field of play) and all members 12 or older must by fully vaccinated unless they have received a medical exception.

Effective October 4th, proof of full vaccination will be required for Nova Scotians who are 12 or older to participate in Swim Nova Scotia activities – this includes any team function, including, but not limited to pool/dryland training and competitions. Those that require a vaccine include swimmers, coaches, staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, and officials. Facilities may also request proof of full vaccination upon entry into their facility, or they may include it in their rental agreement. 

Please see the Swim Nova Scotia COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements that outlines how Swim Nova Scotia, and our member clubs must comply with Nova Scotia’s Proof of Vaccine Policy.

Please review the province’s proof of full vaccination protocol for further information, including what proof of vaccination and medical exception letters look like.

For additional details on the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, visit this section of their webpage

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me anytime!

Thanks

Bette

COVID-19 UPDATE

September 17, 2021

Please find attached the following document outlining frequently asked questions about the proof of vaccine policy that has been put in place by the Province of Nova Scotia. 

The policy is still being finalized, so additional information will continue to be provided as it becomes available.   

Swim Nova Scotia will be required to follow the policy as outlined by the Province. A plan to administer the vaccine policy will be established by Swim Nova Scotia this month. 

Any member participating in Swim Nova Scotia activities, such as, any team function, including, but not limited to pool/dryland training and competitions will be required to meet the Provinces vaccine policy requirements.  

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me anytime!

Thanks

Bette

COVID-19 UPDATE

September 14, 2021

Nova Scotia will remain in Phase 4 of their reopening plan until October 4, 2021, when they anticipate entering phase five. 

Swim Nova Scotia approved clubs can continue to practice and train with up to 50 people indoors and outdoors without social distancing in each field of play. If your facility requires a copy of the exemption letter for our group size of 50, please ask your Facility Manager to contact me directly: swimming@sportnovascotia.ca

Approved Clubs are required to submit a copy of their revised schedule and group lists ASAP – thank you to those Clubs that have already done this. Coaches must continue to do daily health-monitoring using the checklist previously circulated.

Provincial Vaccine Policy (not yet finalized):

Starting October 4th, people who are 12 and older will need to provide proof of full vaccination to participate in most events and activities that bring groups of people together. While the policy is not yet final, it will apply to participants and spectators for indoor and outdoor sports practices, games, competitions, and tournaments as well as indoor and outdoor extracurricular school-based activities, including sports.

Please note that an exemption policy for people who cannot get vaccinated because of a valid medical or behavioural reason is being developed. 

Children who turned 12 years of age between January 1 and October 4 this year will have until December 31 to attend events and activities while they get vaccinated; children who turn 12 years old after October 4 will have three months from their birthday to get vaccinated. 

People are considered to be fully vaccinated 14 days after their second dose of a World Health Organization (WHO) approved vaccine or the one-dose Janssen vaccine, which is also WHO-approved.

Swim Nova Scotia will be required to follow the Vaccine Policy as outlined by Public Health once it becomes official. This is NOT Swim Nova Scotia’s policy – this is the Province of Nova Scotia’s Policy. A plan to administer the vaccine policy will be established by Swim Nova Scotia, further details will be shared once we receive more information from the Province.

Any member participating in Swim Nova Scotia activities, such as, any team function, including, but not limited to pool/dryland training and competitions will be required to meet the Provinces vaccine policy requirements. 

Additional details and up to date information can be found on the Nova Scotia Provincial Government webpage. A copy of today’s press release can be found here

We are continuing to work closely with the province and will keep you updated as more information is received.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me anytime!

Thanks

Bette

COVID-19 UPDATE

September 11, 2021

Today, we received information from the Province/Public Health indicating that there will be further review about participant COVID-19 vaccine requirements in sport. 

We expect to hear back early next week with a final decision about the logistical details (including potential age requirements) that go along with their vaccine policies. We will update you as soon as we have more information.

Thank you to those that have already started to collect/send your records to Swim Nova Scotia; for now, you can hold off on sending them to Swim Nova Scotia until we receive further information.

Your continued support through these unprecedented times is greatly appreciated!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me anytime!

Thanks

Bette

COVID-19 Update

September 9, 2021

Yesterday, the Province announced that we will move to Phase 5 of the COVID-19 Re-Opening Plan on September 15, 2021 at 12:01am. At this time, the only restrictions that will remain in place for the general population are those related to management of COVID-19 cases. Border measures will remain in place, and the province will also start requiring proof of full vaccination for non-essential, discretionary, recreation and leisure services and activities on October 4, 2021.

Wearing masks in indoor public places will no longer be mandatory but remain strongly recommended when people gather in indoor places, and other public health measures like gathering limits and physical distancing will also be lifted.

Clubs that have completed all Club Affiliation requirements and have access to the SNC database are eligible to return to training and those that are fully registered will be covered by Swim Nova Scotia’s insurance.

Please take note that the Swim Nova Scotia online health monitoring platform through Kinduct is no longer active. Clubs that are returning to training before September 15th (Phase 5) are required to maintain paper copies of daily health monitoring (attached) and keep them on file for a minimum of two weeks. These should be maintained by your Coaching staff.

It was also announced that as of October 4, 2021, proof of full vaccination will be required for Nova Scotians who are 12 or older to participate in Swim Nova Scotia activities – this includes any team function, including, but not limited to pool/dryland training and competitions. Those that require a vaccine include swimmers, coaches, officials, volunteers, and attendees. 

The proof of vaccination requirement does not apply to children 11 years of age and under because they are not eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Children aged 11 and under who attend these activities with a fully vaccinated adult will be allowed to participate. 

People are considered to be fully vaccinated 14 days after their second dose of a World Health Organization (WHO) approved vaccine or the one-dose Janssen vaccine, which is also WHO-approved.

Proof of vaccination will be required and administered as follows:

• Coaches (ALL) – send proof of full vaccination record to Swim Nova Scotia: swimming@sportnovascotia.ca

• Swimmers & Volunteers – send proof of full vaccination record to Club Registrar/Administrator

• Officials (will be included in registration package) –

  • Senior Officials (Levels 4 & 5) – send proof of full vaccination record to Swim Nova Scotia: swimming@sportnovascotia.ca

  • All other Officials (Levels 1, 2 & 3) – send proof of full vaccination record to Club Registrar/Administrator

Clubs may appoint a Club Administrator (such as their Club Registrar) to receive copies of vaccination records. These copies must be available to Swim Nova Scotia if requested at any time.

Records must be received on or before October 4th to continue to participate in Swim Nova Scotia (including Club) programming. Records will be maintained in compliance with our Privacy and Confidentiality policies.

We recognize that there are still many unanswered questions (i.e., 11-year-olds turning 12 through the season, spectators at training, spectators at competitions, etc), we will continue to provide updates as we receive additional information from the province.

Additional details and up to date information can be found on the Nova Scotia Provincial Government webpage. A copy of yesterday’s press release can be found here

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me anytime!

Thanks

Bette

Upcoming Office Closure

Swim NS would like to extend a big thank you to our Program Coordinators, Liam Ferguson and Darby Gielewski for a great job this summer!! They have worked very hard delivering virtual events to our Summer Clubs and provided a lot of assistance behind the scenes to the year-round teams!  Any further inquiries related to summer swimming can be directed to the following email address: swimming@sportnovascotia.ca starting Monday August 23rd.

The Swimming Canada Registration system will be closed for maintenance from 12:00am (Midnight) EDT Monday August 23rd, re-opening September 1st. Waivers and affiliation documents must be received to re-gain access to the system on or after September 1st.

Year-Round Clubs are reminded to submit Club affiliation documents by the end of the day September 6th, 2021 (please refer to the Registration email that was sent on July 6th).

Summer Clubs will receive information on year-round training and affiliation information in early September.

Please note that the Swim Nova Scotia office will be closed  Friday August 27th – Tuesday August 7th, 2021 – during this time our Executive Director will be on vacation.

2021 Swim NS Virtual Summer Provincial Championships Summary

Swim Nova Scotia is pleased to announce the results from the 2021 Swim Nova Scotia Summer Provincial Swimming Championships. 10 Clubs from across the Province participated with a total of 412 swimmers. Complete results are available on the Summer Swimming section of this site!

Thank you to Darby & Liam for compiling all of the results and many thanks to all Clubs and Head Coaches for your prompt review of your teams’ results and organizing your own Provincial Championships!

Individual Event Medals for 1-3rd place, High Point Awards, Participation & Provincial Record Certificates are being prepared today and will be mailed to Head Coaches via Canada Post this week.

Age Group High Point Award winners were as follows:

11-12 Female- Paige Gladwin, Bridgewater Barracudas
11-12 Male-  Alfred Lai, Canada Games Centre Swimming Academy
13-14 Female- Emily Levy, St. Margaret’s Bay Breakers
13-14 Male- Jesse Bouwman, St. Margaret’s Bay Breakers
15-16 Female – Rose Efon Asua, Cole Harbour Hurricanes
15-16 Male – Eli Pickup, Bedford Beavers Swim
17-18 Female – Sarah Johnson, Bridgewater Barracudas
17-18 Male – Adam Culbert, Bridgewater Barracudas

FINA High Point winners:

Female- Sarah Johnson, Bridgewater Barracudas
Male- Adam Culbert, Bridgewater Barracudas

Nova Scotia Provincial Records Set:

Congratulations to all swimmers for their individual success this summer – well done!