COVID-19 Operational Plan

COVID-19 Operational Plan

Plan for the Winter Use of Tantramar Outdoor Club Ski, Snowshoe and Hiking Trails and Facilities – Revised for Winter 2021-2022

Date approved by TOC Board of Directors: 10 January 2022
Date this plan takes effect: 14 January 2022

A. Operational Plan Objectives: 

Activities of the Tantramar Outdoor Club (TOC) are important in encouraging and facilitating the safe participation by residents of Sackville, New Brunswick and the Tantramar Region in healthy outdoor activities. When undertaken in line with these guidelines, walking, hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing can provide important opportunities for healthy outdoor exercise and improved mental health, with minimum risk from COVID-19.

This revised operational plan has been developed for use by TOC members and guests, in line with guidance from the New Brunswick Department of Public Health and Sport New Brunswick, for the use of TOC cross-country ski, snowshoe and hiking trails and facilities under the three levels of the New Brunswick COVID-19 Winter Plan (2021-2022).  It addresses three key aspects of TOC winter activities: use of trails, use of warming cabins, and Jack-Rabbit youth training sessions.

This plan has been prepared by TOC members Richard Elliot, Ross Thomas and Robin Walker, and will be distributed electronically to all TOC members.  This plan replaces an earlier version of the COVID-19 Operational Plan for the Winter Use of Tantramar Outdoor Club, which was in effect during the winter of 2020-2021.  This plan reflects current Government of New Brunswick regulations, but as provincial guidance may be revised frequently in response to rapidly-changing risks from COVID-19, TOC participants are also advised to monitor and follow the most recent government regulations.  This plan will be further updated as necessary, to reflect changes in New Brunswick COVID-19 guidelines and advice from Health Canada, and practical experience gained from TOC members when putting this plan into practice. 

B. All Alert Levels

• All participation in winter activities of the Tantramar Outdoor Club is undertaken at the user’s risk, and is subject to the following guidelines.
• Participants in all outdoor activities 12 years of age or older should be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
• All participants should travel to and from parking areas in separate vehicles, unless they are members of a single-household bubble.
• Hand sanitizer and alcohol spray will be provided by TOC at facilities and venues as described below, but participants are responsible for providing their own face masks.
• Individuals must not participate in any TOC winter activities if they:
  • feel unwell, or have symptoms of COVID-19, a cold or the flu,
  • have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 10 days, or are in self-isolation for COVID-19,
  • have been in contact within the past 10 days with someone who has COVID-19 or who is self-isolating due to travel or to COVID -19 exposure, or
  • do not agree to abide by these guidelines.
• All TOC registration will be conducted electronically, through a link to the TOC Facebook site.
• All TOC committee meetings will be held virtually until further notice.
• All TOC social gatherings have been cancelled, or will be held virtually, until further notice.
• As guidance from the Government of New Brunswick may be revised frequently in response to rapidly-changing risks from COVID-19, TOC participants should also monitor and follow the most recent government regulations.

C. Alert Level 1

i. Use of ski, snowshoe and hiking trails

TOC members and guests may use cross-country ski, snowshoe and hiking trails at their own risk, subject to the following guidelines:

• All trail users aged 12 years old and older should be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Trail users should keep at least 2 metres apart at all times, unless they are members of a single-household bubble.
• Trail users must stop or move off the ski, snowshoe or hiking trail at the approach of others from the opposite direction, to enable them to pass safely at a 2-metre distance.
• Face masks should be worn when maintaining 2-metre physical distancing may not be possible, such as while interacting closely with others on the trails, or at crowded parking lots, assembly areas or trail heads.
• A summary of these guidelines will be posted in at the three main trail heads.

ii. Use of warming cabins

Trail users may use warming cabins at their own risk, subject to the following guidelines:

• All cabin users aged 12 years old and older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
• A maximum of 6 persons may use the cabin at one time.
• Face masks must be worn when inside the cabin, except when eating or drinking
• All cabin visitors should keep at least 2 metres apart at all times, unless they are members of a single-household bubble.
• Trail users should limit their cabin visits to 20 minutes each, and are encouraged to enable others to share the use of these facilities.
• Hand sanitizer and alcohol spray will be provided in each cabin, but there will be no regular cleaning of the cabin.  Visitors are encouraged to use sanitizer for hands and alcohol spray for cabin surfaces, and remove rubbish from the cabins.
• Outdoor Port-a-Pottie toilet facilities will be accessible, and hand sanitizer will be provided.
• A summary of these guidelines will be posted on the door of each warming cabin.

iii. Operation of Jack-Rabbit youth training sessions

Students and instructors participate in Jack-Rabbit youth training sessions at their own risk, subject to the following guidelines:

• All Jack-Rabbit instructors, students, and family members present aged 12 or over must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
• All Jack-Rabbit instructors, students and family members present will follow the operational guidelines listed above relating to the use of trails, interacting with others, and moving to and from parking and assembly areas, and will receive orientation from TOC about these guidelines.
• All participants will wear masks, and keep at least 2 metres apart in parking and assembly areas prior to the start and end of each lesson, and whenever interacting closely with others.
• Students may remove their masks at their designated location for the duration of the lesson. 
• Participants are encouraged not to share equipment except under the guidance of instructors, and to make use of the hand sanitizer provided as needed.
• Participants must arrive on time and ready to ski, in order to minimize congestion in parking and assembly areas. 
• Each group will have an assigned start and end location for use each week.  Instructors will ensure that students are able to stay at least 2 metres apart, and may place pylons or other markers to indicate where students should wait until lessons begin. 
• There will be no sharing of drinks, or food of any form, during lessons. 
• Instructors will provide hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.
• Participants in Jack-Rabbit youth training activities may only use TOC cabins in line with guidelines listed above, and following guidance from instructors
• Instructors will ensure that these guidelines are followed by all participants, and have the authority to ask students and family members to leave if they are not adhering to guidelines, or if their behaviour may be putting others at risk.

D. Alert Level 2

i. Use of ski, snowshoe and hiking trails [same as Level 1]

TOC members and guests may use cross-country ski, snowshoe and hiking trails at their own risk, subject to the following guidelines:

• All trail users aged 12 years old and older should be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Trail users should keep at least 2 metres apart at all times, unless they are members of a single-household bubble.
• Trail users must stop or move off the ski, snowshoe or hiking trail at the approach of others from the opposite direction, to enable them to pass safely at a 2-metre distance.
• Face masks should be worn when maintaining 2-metre physical distancing may not be possible, while interacting closely with others on the trails, or at crowded parking lots, assembly areas or trail heads.
• A summary of these guidelines will be posted in at the main trail heads.

ii. Use of warming cabins [same as Level 1]

Trail users may use warming cabins at their own risk, subject to the following guidelines:

• All cabin users aged 12 years old and older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19
• A maximum of 6 persons may use the cabin at one time.
• Face masks must be worn when inside the cabin, except when eating or drinking
• All cabin visitors should keep at least 2 metres apart at all times, unless they are members of a single-household bubble.
• Trail users should limit their cabin visits to 20 minutes each, and are encouraged to enable others to share the use of these facilities.
• Hand sanitizer and alcohol spray will be provided in each cabin, but there will be no regular cleaning of the cabin.  Visitors are encouraged to use sanitizer for hands and alcohol spray for cabin surfaces, and remove rubbish from the cabins.
• Outdoor Port-a-Pottie toilet facilities will be accessible, and hand sanitizer will be provided.
• A summary of these guidelines will be posted on the door of each warming cabin.

iii. Operation of Jack-Rabbit youth training sessions 

• Jack-Rabbit youth training sessions will only continue for those students aged 12 and older who provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, in line with the guidelines above for Alert Level 1 (see section C.iii. above).

• Alternative training options, which comply with these guidelines and provincial regulations, may be provided for families with Jack-Rabbit students under age 12.
• Jack-Rabbit activities may be further revised to comply with updated guidance from the government of New Brunswick.

E. Alert Level 3

i. Use of ski, snowshoe and hiking trails

TOC members and guests may use cross-country ski, snowshoe and hiking trails at their own risk, subject to the following guidelines:

• All trail users aged 12 years old and older should be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Trail users must keep at least 2 metres apart at all times, unless they are members of a single-household bubble.
• Groups are limited to members of a single-household bubble.
• Trail users must stop or move off the ski, snowshoe or hiking trail at the approach of others from the opposite direction, to enable them to pass safely at a 2-metre distance.
• Face masks must be worn at all times when interacting closely with others on the trails, or while at parking lots assembly areas, or trail heads.
• A summary of these guidelines will be posted at the main trail head.

ii. Use of warming cabins

• All regular use of cabins is prohibited during periods at Alert Level 3.
• Cabins may be used in urgent or emergency situations, and will remain unlocked and stocked with emergency equipment and supplies.
• Outdoor Port-a-Pottie toilet facilities will be accessible, and hand sanitizer will be provided.

iii. Operation of Jack-Rabbit youth training sessions

• All Jack-Rabbit youth training sessions will cease completely for all age groups during periods at Alert Level 3.