Coronavirus (COVID-19)
April 13, 2022
Vaccine Passport mandates have now been lifted. Please be patient as we reintroduce viewing in our facility. Weeks of spectator viewing will be announced to members by email.
Nanaimo Gymnastics School has now reverted to its Communicable Disease Plan
March 16, 2022
Dr. Bonnie Henry has announced multiple updates related to COVID-19 protocols in BC. This includes our community, in the following areas:
- The Mandatory Face Covering Order (Mask Mandate) has been repealed. This means that at 12:01 AM on March 11, 2022 - that masks are no longer required in Gymnastics Clubs. Optional mask use is allowed!
- GymBC Member Clubs should revert back to their Communicable Disease Plans (not including vaccine card and mask requirements) as of Friday April 8th.
- The BC Vaccine Card system is no longer required by any members of the GymBC community at daily training or events/competitions as of Friday April 8th.
As per the above announcement, athletes and coaches are no longer required to wear masks. Those who wish to continue doing so will be fully supported.
Many of our staff, who are in contact with multiple sets of athletes during their work week, will continue to use masks, especially while spotting and in close contacts to athletes, as we transition into this new phase.
We respectfully encourage that visitors to NGS continue to wear masks in order to assist us in safeguarding athlete safety to those most vulnerable in our community. Viewing weeks are communicated to members by email.
October 27, 2021
Proof of Vaccination is now required for all spectators and visitors. This includes all Parent & Tot Classes.
October 12, 2021
The latest Provincial Update states the following changes in Protocols:
- Masks are now mandatory for all individuals 5+ in gymnastics clubs. This includes coaches, athletes, and any other individuals who occupy the space. Exceptions apply to athletes participating in gymnastics on the field of play and to persons less than 5 years of age. In our case, all athletes aged 5 and above are required to wear masks in common areas, including the lobby (entry and exit from the building), washrooms, office and mezzanine. Once in the gym, all athletes participating in gymnastics are not required to wear masks. All our coaches will be adhering to these rules.
October 1, 2021
The latest Provincial Update states the following changes in Protocols:
- Masks are now mandatory for all individuals 9+ in gymnastics clubs. This includes coaches, athletes, and any other individuals who occupy the space. Exceptions apply to athletes participating in gymnastics on the field of play and to persons less than 9 years of age. In our case, all athletes aged 9 and above are required to wear masks in common areas, including the lobby (entry and exit from the building), washrooms, office and mezzanine. Once in the gym, all athletes participating in gymnastics are not required to wear masks. All our coaches will be adhering to these rules.
September 1, 2021
The latest Provincial Update from August 23, 2021 states the following changes in Protocols:
- Masks are now mandatory for all individuals 12+ in gymnastics clubs. This includes coaches, athletes, and any other individuals who occupy the space. Exceptions apply to athletes participating in gymnastics on the field of play and to persons less than 12 years of age. In our case, all athletes aged 12 and above are required to wear masks in common areas, including the lobby (entry and exit from the building), washrooms, office and mezzanine. Once in the gym, all athletes participating in gymnastics are not required to wear masks. All our coaches will be adhering to these rules.
- Viewing is still not allowed.
- We are still awaiting further directions from Gymnastics BC in regards to the effect of the BC Vaccine Card (proof of vaccination) in our gymnastics facilities. This is set to take effect on September 13 - more information will be shared once the Sport Sector has been given clear guidance from the PHO/Government of BC
July 1, 2021
The province has moved to Step 3 of the Restart Plan. We have now received an update from Gymnastics BC and the below protocols have now been modified for our club, effective July 1, 2021:
- Physical distancing does not need to be maintained on or off the field of play.
- All spaces within our facility can now be used: including the foam pit and shared chalk station
- Socializing before and after sport activities is now acceptable
- Contact tracing and screening requirements are no longer required
(attendance records will still be maintained by coaches) - Masks will be recommended for those 12 and over who have not received both COVID-19 immunizations when off the field of play (office, lobby, stairs, etc…)
- All parents/visitors to the office will be required to wear masks until further notice
June 17, 2021
Gymnastics BC has released two updates in regards to Step 2 of the Government of BC's Restart Plan. Please see below for the current changes:
- We are moving forward and returning to our Stage 2 Safety Plan, which was in effect in August to October of 2020.
- Spotting is now allowed by coaches. Coaches will be required to wear masks and disinfect their hands between athletes.
- Coaches do not have to wear masks while coaching (only while spotting) - some coaches may opt to continue wearing a mask and we will support them in this decision.
- All members must continue to wear masks out of the "field of play" (lobby, washrooms, office, mezzanine unless sitting 2 m apart for break).
- Physical distancing is no longer required while on the field of play. This means that athletes do not have to be 3 m apart while in their group bubble and participating in their sport. The intention of this statement is directed to sport-related activities. All other close activity that are non-gymnastics related are still not allowed (hugging, play fighting, high-fives, etc.).
- Shared chalk use is still not permitted.
- Foam pit use is still not permitted.
- We will continue to use traffic flow and physical distancing outside of the field of play.
- Socializing before and after sport activities is not allowed inside or outside the sport facility.
- Daily screening checklists must continue for all members.
December 3, 2020
The new Provincial Health Order has been released and Gymnastics BC has updated their Safety Plan in accordance. Nanaimo Gymnastics has updated their Safety Plan to conform with the new requirements:
Safety Plan December 2020
November 24, 2020
We have just received communication from Gymnastics BC that all clubs are to temporarily shut down until further notice.
Gymnastics BC is working with viaSport in order to get some further guidance and clarity on the situation. Further information will be circulated by them to us tomorrow. At that point, we will be able to let you know how we will be proceeding.
Please be patient and let us work through the next couple days so that we can inform you properly.
Many thanks for your patience and understanding.
November 19, 2020
As the situation progresses on Vancouver Island, we would like to remind everyone that we continue to follow guidelines provided by Gymnastics BC, Island Health and the BC Government. The sport of gymnastics has, from the start, implemented strict guidelines, facilitated by the premise that gymnastics is an individual sport that can be practiced while maintaining physical distance. We will continue to take matters seriously, with increased cleaning and observations of all guidelines.
As a reminder to all our members, please take note of the below province-wide and club-specific policies that need to be observed during this time:
We thank you for your cooperation and understanding during these times. As things progress, we will communicate further updates.
Our updated and approved Safety Plan can be found below.
Safety Plan Stage 3
We have just received communication from Gymnastics BC that all clubs are to temporarily shut down until further notice.
Gymnastics BC is working with viaSport in order to get some further guidance and clarity on the situation. Further information will be circulated by them to us tomorrow. At that point, we will be able to let you know how we will be proceeding.
Please be patient and let us work through the next couple days so that we can inform you properly.
Many thanks for your patience and understanding.
November 19, 2020
As the situation progresses on Vancouver Island, we would like to remind everyone that we continue to follow guidelines provided by Gymnastics BC, Island Health and the BC Government. The sport of gymnastics has, from the start, implemented strict guidelines, facilitated by the premise that gymnastics is an individual sport that can be practiced while maintaining physical distance. We will continue to take matters seriously, with increased cleaning and observations of all guidelines.
As a reminder to all our members, please take note of the below province-wide and club-specific policies that need to be observed during this time:
- Masks are required upon entry into our facility, whether athletes or adults wanting to access the office.
- Everyone entering the facility must disinfect their hands immediately (hand sanitizer is located in the lobby and hand-washing stations are in the washrooms).
- Athletes are asked to keep their masks on until their General Warm-up begins, and to wear their mask anytime they head into the lobby area, including at the end of class. Parents participating in Parent & Tot classes must wear their masks at all times, even during class.
- Athletes are to keep physical distance during all times at the gym - Everyone inside the facility must maintain a minimum of two metres apart at all times.
- Effective immediately, coaching for all programs must be performed hands-free (no spotting).
- Anyone wanting to access the office must make an appointment ahead of time.
- Safety Checks are mandatory for all athletes entering the gym - please make sure these are completed prior to arrival and ready to show at the door.
- Our BC Premier has just announced that non-essential travel throughout the province is now prohibited for 2-weeks beginning November 18, 2020. Members who choose to travel during this time are asked to stay at home for 2 weeks in order to prevent potential exposures.
- No travel is allowed at this time outside of your local communities.
- It is recommended that everyone only have close contact with their immediate family. While cohorts and bubbles exist out of this, it is encouraged to keep physical distance within these additional people. This includes sports cohorts, school cohorts, carpooling and close friends. If physical distance cannot be done safely, please wear a mask.
- Individuals must stay home if they are unwell or if someone in their household is sick. They must also stay home if they have knowingly been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 recently.
We thank you for your cooperation and understanding during these times. As things progress, we will communicate further updates.
Our updated and approved Safety Plan can be found below.
Safety Plan Stage 3
June 30, 2020
We are happy to announce that the Nanaimo Gymnastics School Safety Plan has been approved! This means we will be reopening shortly and starting to offer programming to our members.
Competitive Programs will be the first to restart, with a gradual reintroduction of all other programs. Stay tuned for announcements about camps and classes for the Fall!
Please see below our approved Safety Plan:
Safety Plan Stage 2
March 16, 2020
To all our Nanaimo Gymnastics Families:
Due to unprecedented developments related to the COVID-19 virus, and following recommendations from both the Province of BC and City of Nanaimo, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend all our gymnastics programming effective immediately until and until further notice.
The health and safety of our athletes and community is of utmost importance to us. We will keep in close contact with Gymnastics BC and the Ministry of Health and re-assess when it is safe for our community and us to reopen.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. As this is uncharted territory, we ask for your patience as we navigate all of this.
We thank you in advance for your continued support in these difficult times.
March 15, 2020
Due to the rapid progression and growing concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus, we have decided to cancel all Preschool and Recreational classes for Monday, March 16, so that we can meet and take further actions necessary.
Please stay tuned for further information.
March 14, 2020:
As of Saturday, March 14 all programming is running as scheduled.
Please rest assured the safety of all members remains our utmost priority. Sport facilities are often high contact zones and as such, our staff is conducting additional cleaning in both the gym and lobby areas, especially between classes.
If your athlete is sick (especially with a fever or bad cough), we ask you to take into consideration the other athletes and staff and keep them home until there are no symptoms for a 24 hour period.
All persons returning from out of the country are required to self-quarantine upon their return for 14 days.
For those attending the gym, please communicate the following guidelines to your child:
- No sharing water bottles, food or lip balm
- Try not to touch your face, especially nose, eyes and mouth
- Wash your hands when you first come into the gym and after class
- No high fives
- Immediately wash your hands/elbows if you sneeze or cough
- Parents: please wash your athlete's water bottle thoroughly every day - as well as any items that are used regularly (wrist bands, socks, gymsuits, shorts)
- Limit traffic in our gym by dropping off athletes and limiting viewing
The BC Centre for Disease Control also provides guidelines that everyone should abide to:
http://www.bccdc.ca/…/diseases-conditio…/coronavirus-(novel)
We continue to monitor Gymnastics BC, the City of Nanaimo and the Government of BC for further directives and protocols.
We thank you for your support in keeping our environment safe for all members.