Recently we have been receiving a lot of questions about our Covid-19 response.
Why do we ask for pre-registration with our groups before each meeting?
We began as a drop-in GSA January 2018. Many meetings would see up to 28 youth each GSA.
We switched to pre-registration for our twice monthly meetings when cases of Covid-19 began.
When the Alberta government put restrictions on groups, we followed those numbers accordingly. With cases surging, and few restrictions, we have capped our youth and adult groups at 15 people (unless changes occur), including adult volunteers.
Registering for each group keeps our numbers lower so we can properly distance while we are outdoors and indoors.
Registering also gives us a chance to ensure youth and adults do a health check prior to attending.
Why are our youth and adults required to do a health check, not just a Covid check?
Prior to Covid, our youth and adults were able to attend meetings without doing a health check. With the surging of cases, the decision was made early on to ensure all youth and adults who attend are as healthy as possible.
A lot of our youth have jobs, attend schools, and other groups/teams. Requesting youth and adults only attend the GSA when they are healthy lessens the chance of Covid or other viruses spreading through our communities. This also helps to ensure our youth and adults can continue to be employed in their occupations without a disruption for Covid tests.
Why do the youth and adults who attend the GSA continue to wear masks, even if they are vaccinated?
The concern of viruses through community spread is a very real threat. Covid -19 vaccines are effective in preventing the disease in individuals, but it is currently unknown what degree of vaccination will be sufficient to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus and achieve herd immunity. We feel that the continuation of masking, whether indoors or outdoors, is very beneficial to the health of our community at large. Masking reduces the risk of transmission.
Do you need to be vaccinated with the Covid 19 immunization to attend the GSA or SAFE groups?
We do require the Covid 19 vaccination for all youth, adults, and volunteers attending in person indoor and outdoor meetings.
Alternately, a negative Covid test is acceptable if it has been done prior to each meeting, within a
72-hour period.
We require all participants to be vaccinated for a few reasons.
Thank you to our youth, caregivers, and volunteers who make every effort to ensure the health and safety of our communities.
Why do we ask for pre-registration with our groups before each meeting?
We began as a drop-in GSA January 2018. Many meetings would see up to 28 youth each GSA.
We switched to pre-registration for our twice monthly meetings when cases of Covid-19 began.
When the Alberta government put restrictions on groups, we followed those numbers accordingly. With cases surging, and few restrictions, we have capped our youth and adult groups at 15 people (unless changes occur), including adult volunteers.
Registering for each group keeps our numbers lower so we can properly distance while we are outdoors and indoors.
Registering also gives us a chance to ensure youth and adults do a health check prior to attending.
Why are our youth and adults required to do a health check, not just a Covid check?
Prior to Covid, our youth and adults were able to attend meetings without doing a health check. With the surging of cases, the decision was made early on to ensure all youth and adults who attend are as healthy as possible.
A lot of our youth have jobs, attend schools, and other groups/teams. Requesting youth and adults only attend the GSA when they are healthy lessens the chance of Covid or other viruses spreading through our communities. This also helps to ensure our youth and adults can continue to be employed in their occupations without a disruption for Covid tests.
Why do the youth and adults who attend the GSA continue to wear masks, even if they are vaccinated?
The concern of viruses through community spread is a very real threat. Covid -19 vaccines are effective in preventing the disease in individuals, but it is currently unknown what degree of vaccination will be sufficient to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus and achieve herd immunity. We feel that the continuation of masking, whether indoors or outdoors, is very beneficial to the health of our community at large. Masking reduces the risk of transmission.
Do you need to be vaccinated with the Covid 19 immunization to attend the GSA or SAFE groups?
We do require the Covid 19 vaccination for all youth, adults, and volunteers attending in person indoor and outdoor meetings.
Alternately, a negative Covid test is acceptable if it has been done prior to each meeting, within a
72-hour period.
We require all participants to be vaccinated for a few reasons.
- To protect the health of the youth, adults, and the surrounding communities.
- To ensure that we do not put pressure on the health care system, our nurses, and our doctors.
- Many of our youth and adults are immunocompromised, and it would be difficult for them to fight off any illness, much less Covid-19.
Thank you to our youth, caregivers, and volunteers who make every effort to ensure the health and safety of our communities.
COVID-19 Protective Measures for Spruce Grove GSA Society
To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, these protocols have been put in place to help ensure the health and safety of the following:
Although we have taken care to adhere to the guidance of the Government of Alberta, by attending the Spruce Grove GSA and SAFE you acknowledge that, even with the best precautions in place, it is impossible to guarantee no exposure to COVID-19 whether while traveling between your home and the spaces or within the confines of the premises themselves.
With the rise in Covid-19 cases and the mandatory health restrictions placed on all communities, our Society has updated the following rules we have in place for our COVID-19 Protocols.
Screening for Symptoms:
Please ask yourself the following questions. If you answer yes to any of the following questions, please do not attend the meetings or events, and follow the public health guidelines.
Do you have any possible COVID-19 symptoms?
If any person has or develops symptoms, they will be removed from the groups and asked to stay an appropriate distance from the rest of the group until a safe route home is ensured.
Distancing Measures
Cleaning
All high touch surfaces to be used will be cleaned prior to entry.
All high touch surfaces will be cleaned after the last person exits the building, to ensure the next group’s safety.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & Inclusive Measures
Contact information for staff and volunteers
The protective measures Spruce Grove GSA Society has put in place are to protect participating youth, adults, their families, coordinators, volunteers, organizations, renters and groups of shared spaces, and the general public.
If these protective measures are not recognized or followed, the organizers of Spruce Grove GSA Society will take the appropriate action and temporarily remove the individual in question until the protective measures are agreed to and followed accordingly.
We appreciate everyone’s efforts to ensure that the Spruce Grove GSA continues to be a safe and welcoming place for youth and adults.
To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, these protocols have been put in place to help ensure the health and safety of the following:
- Youth who attend Spruce Grove GSA & Adults who attend SAFE (Support & Advocacy for Everyone)
- Family and caregivers of youth & adults in attendance.
- Coordinators, volunteers, and organizations who administer programing.
- Renters and groups who use our shared spaces.
- General public who may come into contact with those aforementioned.
Although we have taken care to adhere to the guidance of the Government of Alberta, by attending the Spruce Grove GSA and SAFE you acknowledge that, even with the best precautions in place, it is impossible to guarantee no exposure to COVID-19 whether while traveling between your home and the spaces or within the confines of the premises themselves.
With the rise in Covid-19 cases and the mandatory health restrictions placed on all communities, our Society has updated the following rules we have in place for our COVID-19 Protocols.
- Proof of Covid-19 vaccination is required to ensure the safety of our youth and our communities.
- All youth and adults attending indoor or outdoor meetings, must pre-screen for Covid-19.
- Please email sprucegrovegsa@gmail.com or text 780-655-0384 with your attendance.
- All youth and adults attending, will be required to check in by 9:00PM the evening before each meeting.
Screening for Symptoms:
- Ensure that each youth, adult, volunteer, or coordinator has self-screened for the following possible COVID-19 symptoms.
- Self-screening is done prior to attending any programs or events.
Please ask yourself the following questions. If you answer yes to any of the following questions, please do not attend the meetings or events, and follow the public health guidelines.
Do you have any possible COVID-19 symptoms?
- Possible symptoms: Fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, chills, painful swallowing, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of taste, loss of smell, muscle or joint aches, headache, conjunctivitis (eyes appear pink or reddish pink), or a rash on skin.
- Have you, or anyone in your household, travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days?
- Have you or your children had close unprotected contact
- Have you or anyone in your household been in close unprotected contact in the last 14 days with someone who is being investigated or confirmed to be a case of COVID-19?
- Have you, a member of your household, or a person you are exposed to, been diagnosed with COVID-19?
- General screening will also be done prior to meetings, or any events with our youth GSA or adult SAFE group.
If any person has or develops symptoms, they will be removed from the groups and asked to stay an appropriate distance from the rest of the group until a safe route home is ensured.
Distancing Measures
- All youth or adults attending any event, will be required to maintain a minimum distance of 2 meters/6 feet from each other.
- This includes outdoor events, seating within groups, getting snacks or drinks, using a washroom, washing or sanitizing hands, participating in activities and walking into the buildings.
- Universal washrooms are to be used by one individual at a time.
Cleaning
All high touch surfaces to be used will be cleaned prior to entry.
- High touch surfaces to be cleaned include the bathroom, tables, backs of chairs, kitchen (if used), inside door handles, outside door handles, door locks, railings, and all light switches.
- Only one (universal) washroom will be used at any given time and only one person may use the washroom at a time.
- The 2nd universal washroom will remain closed unless there is an emergency. At that time, all disinfecting measures will be carried out before it is able to be used again.
All high touch surfaces will be cleaned after the last person exits the building, to ensure the next group’s safety.
- High touch surfaces to be cleaned include the bathroom, tables, backs of all chairs used, kitchen (if used), inside door handles, outside door handles, railings, and all light switches.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & Inclusive Measures
- If a youth or adult participant forgets to bring their mask a disposable mask will be provided.
- If a mask becomes dirty, damaged, or wet, a new disposable mask will be provided.
- Use of hand sanitizer and frequent handwashing will be mandatory.
- All snacks and drinks will be prepackaged to prevent cross-contamination of germs.
- One person at a time may select snacks and drinks after washing their hands or using sanitizer.
- Mask use indoors and outdoors is mandatory at all times.
- Physical distancing of 2 meters during any activity or visiting is STILL required.
Contact information for staff and volunteers
- All youth, adults, volunteers and organizations will be required to privately provide their contact information (email, phone number and name), so that they can be notified in the event of known or suspected exposure to COVID-19.
- The contact information will not be used unless there is need to notify each person individually as a result of known or suspected exposure to COVID-19.
The protective measures Spruce Grove GSA Society has put in place are to protect participating youth, adults, their families, coordinators, volunteers, organizations, renters and groups of shared spaces, and the general public.
If these protective measures are not recognized or followed, the organizers of Spruce Grove GSA Society will take the appropriate action and temporarily remove the individual in question until the protective measures are agreed to and followed accordingly.
We appreciate everyone’s efforts to ensure that the Spruce Grove GSA continues to be a safe and welcoming place for youth and adults.
COVID-19 Protective Measures for Spruce Grove GSA Society
To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, these protocols have been put in place to help ensure the health and safety of the following:
Although we have taken care to adhere to the guidance of the Government of Alberta, by attending the Spruce Grove GSA you acknowledge that, even with the best precautions in place, it is impossible to guarantee no exposure to COVID-19 whether while traveling between your home and the GSA or within the confines of the Spruce Grove GSA.
With the rise in Covid-19 cases and the mandatory health restrictions placed on all communities, our Spruce Grove GSA has updated the following rules we have in place for our COVID-19 Protocols.
Screening for Symptoms:
Please ask yourself the following questions. If you answer yes to any of the following questions, please do not attend the GSA, and follow the public health guidelines.
Do you have any possible COVID-19 symptoms?
If any person has or develops symptoms, they will be removed from the group and asked to stay an appropriate distance from the rest of the group until a safe route home is ensured.
Distancing Measures
Cleaning
All high touch surfaces to be used will be cleaned prior to youths’ entry.
All high touch surfaces will be cleaned after the last youth exits the building, to ensure the next group’s safety.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & Inclusive Measures
Contact information for staff and volunteers
The protective measures Spruce Grove GSA Society has put in place are to protect participating youth, their families, coordinators, volunteers, organizations, renters and groups of St. Andrew’s United Church, and the general public.
If these protective measures are not recognized or followed, the organizers of Spruce Grove GSA Society will take the appropriate action and temporarily remove the individual in question until the protective measures are agreed to and followed accordingly.
We appreciate everyone’s efforts to ensure that the Spruce Grove GSA continues to be a safe and welcoming place for youth.
To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, these protocols have been put in place to help ensure the health and safety of the following:
- Youth who attend Spruce Grove GSA.
- Family and caregivers of youth in attendance.
- Coordinators, volunteers and organizations who administer programing at Spruce Grove GSA.
- Renters and groups who use the spaces at St. Andrew’s United Church, 1A Fieldstone Drive.
- General public who may come into contact with those aforementioned.
Although we have taken care to adhere to the guidance of the Government of Alberta, by attending the Spruce Grove GSA you acknowledge that, even with the best precautions in place, it is impossible to guarantee no exposure to COVID-19 whether while traveling between your home and the GSA or within the confines of the Spruce Grove GSA.
With the rise in Covid-19 cases and the mandatory health restrictions placed on all communities, our Spruce Grove GSA has updated the following rules we have in place for our COVID-19 Protocols.
- Proof of Covid-19 vaccination is required to ensure the safety of our youth and our communities.
- All youth attending indoor or outdoor GSA meetings, must pre-screen for Covid-19.
- Please email sprucegrovegsa@gmail.com or text 780-655-0384 with your attendance.
- All youth attending will be required to check in BEFORE 9:00PM on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month.
Screening for Symptoms:
- Ensure that each youth, volunteer, or coordinator has self-screened for the following possible COVID-19 symptoms.
- Self-screening is done prior to attending any programs or events with Spruce Grove GSA.
Please ask yourself the following questions. If you answer yes to any of the following questions, please do not attend the GSA, and follow the public health guidelines.
Do you have any possible COVID-19 symptoms?
- Possible symptoms: Fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, chills, painful swallowing, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of taste, loss of smell, muscle or joint aches, headache, conjunctivitis (eyes appear pink or reddish pink), or a rash on skin.
- Have you, or anyone in your household, travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days?
- Have you or your children had close unprotected contact
- Have you or anyone in your household been in close unprotected contact in the last 14 days with someone who is being investigated or confirmed to be a case of COVID-19?
- Have you, a member of your household, or a person you are exposed to, been diagnosed with COVID-19?
- General screening will also be done prior to GSA, or any events with Spruce Grove GSA.
If any person has or develops symptoms, they will be removed from the group and asked to stay an appropriate distance from the rest of the group until a safe route home is ensured.
Distancing Measures
- All youth or adults attending Spruce Grove GSA, and any event hosted by the GSA, will be required to maintain a minimum distance of 2 meters/6 feet from each other.
- This includes outdoor GSAs/events, seating within the GSA, getting snacks or drinks, using a washroom, washing or sanitizing hands, participating in activities and walking into the building or down the stairs of the GSA.
- Universal washrooms are to be used by one individual at a time.
Cleaning
All high touch surfaces to be used will be cleaned prior to youths’ entry.
- High touch surfaces to be cleaned include the bathroom, tables, backs of chairs (that will be used during the GSA), kitchen (if used), inside door handles, outside door handles, door locks, railings to the downstairs hall, and all light switches.
- Only one (universal) washroom will be used at any given time and only one person may use the washroom at a time.
- The 2nd universal washroom will remain closed unless there is an emergency. At that time, all disinfecting measures will be carried out before it is able to be used again.
- The Spruce Grove GSA coordinator must be informed when the washroom is finished being in use so the necessary steps to sanitize all possible points of contact can be implemented.
All high touch surfaces will be cleaned after the last youth exits the building, to ensure the next group’s safety.
- High touch surfaces to be cleaned include the bathroom, tables, backs of all chairs used, kitchen (if used), inside door handles, outside door handles, railings to the downstairs main hall and all light switches.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & Inclusive Measures
- If a youth or adult participant forgets to bring their mask a disposable mask will be provided.
- If a mask becomes dirty, damaged, or wet, a new disposable mask will be provided.
- Use of hand sanitizer and frequent handwashing will be mandatory.
- All snacks and drinks will be prepackaged to prevent cross-contamination of germs.
- One youth at a time may select snacks and drinks after washing their hands or using sanitizer.
- Mask use indoors and outdoors is mandatory at all times.
- Any activity or craft supplies used, will be sanitized before and after each use.
- Each youth will use hand sanitizer before using supplies for activities or crafts.
- Physical distancing of 2 metres during games, activities, and visiting is STILL required.
Contact information for staff and volunteers
- All youth, adults, volunteers and organizations will be required to privately provide their contact information (email, phone number, address and name), so that they can be notified in the event of known or suspected exposure to COVID-19.
- The contact information will not be used unless there is need to notify each person individually as a result of known or suspected exposure to COVID-19.
The protective measures Spruce Grove GSA Society has put in place are to protect participating youth, their families, coordinators, volunteers, organizations, renters and groups of St. Andrew’s United Church, and the general public.
If these protective measures are not recognized or followed, the organizers of Spruce Grove GSA Society will take the appropriate action and temporarily remove the individual in question until the protective measures are agreed to and followed accordingly.
We appreciate everyone’s efforts to ensure that the Spruce Grove GSA continues to be a safe and welcoming place for youth.