After much discussion, the GLHA has decided
to retract its requirement for COVID-19 vaccination of the 5–11-year-old age
group at this time. While the Middlesex
London Health Unit (MLHU) did support the GLHA in its original decision,
stating that having as many members of our community vaccinated is important to
continue to mitigate transmission and significant illness, GLHA recognizes that
its timeline for this requirement was aggressive and proceeded a formal
recommendation from the MLHU.
The MLHU reported 75 cases of COVID-19 since yesterday. The dramatic and significant increase in case counts over the last few weeks and the arrival of the Omicron variant in our community is a reminder that the pandemic is not over. Vaccination remains an important tool to help prevent severe disease, hospitalizations, and death.
We encourage our hockey families to take some time over the next several weeks to seek out information and ask questions about vaccination of your 5–11-year-olds. We know that the more immunized kids on the ice, the safer hockey is for everyone. GLHA strongly recommends that any vaccine-eligible child playing hockey for a GLHA organization get vaccinated as soon as they are able.
We would like to wish those of you who are celebrating in the coming weeks a Happy Holidays and for all our GLHA families, may the upcoming school break be filled with rest and relaxation for all!
Stay safe and we hope to continue to see you all at the rink.