Restriction Exemption Program and vaccine passports: FAQs for Sport Organizations

Written By Communications

Last update: Thursday, September 23, 2021

Due to the volatility of the COVID-19 situation and the ongoing communication by the government of Alberta, the responses provided below will be updated as new information becomes available. Additional references are included in the answers.

The reader is advised to give greater weighting to local or provincial guidance, air on the side of caution and follow the highest standard should there be a difference.

When will Albertans need to begin showing proof of vaccination?

  • From Sept. 20 until Oct. 25, vaccine-eligible Albertans will need proof of a single dose to access many non-essential services in the province — and that dose must have been administered at least two weeks before the time of service.
  • After Oct. 25, proof of two doses will be required.

I'm a vaccinated Albertan. What can I use as proof of vaccination and where can I find it?

Albertans can show either

  1. Paper: Immunization record received at immunization appointments
  2. Technology: Records shown from MyHealthRecords app or website
  3. Printable card: Paper card printable from MyHealthRecords app

As of September 19, Albertans should also be able to

  • Print a small card accessed on MyHealthRecords that shows proof of vaccination to keep in their wallets.
  • Access a convenient card-sized proof of vaccination easily and quickly on alberta.ca/CovidRecords without creating an online account.
  • Visit a local registry agent to request a printed version of their vaccination card at no cost.

As of October 1, a QR code option could be introduced with additional information for businesses on how to use this option.

If you lost your paper copy,

I'm an unvaccinated Albertan. What do I need if I plan to go out?

To enter spaces participating in the Restrictions Exemption Program, people aged 12 and older can show proof of a negative test result.

  • Tests must be privately paid COVID-19 PCR or rapid tests completed within 72 hours.
  • Tests must not be from Alberta Health Services or Alberta Precision Laboratories.

What are the REP Business requirements?

Businesses that choose to implement the Restrictions Exemption Program must continue to follow indoor mandatory masking requirements, but can operate without capacity or operating restrictions
if they require people aged 12 and over to show one of the following:

  • Proof of vaccination
    • partial vaccination (one dose) accepted September 20 to October 25 if received 2 weeks before time of service
    • full vaccination (two doses) required after October 25
  • Proof of a privately-paid negative PCR or rapid test
    • Completed within 72 hours of service
    • tests from AHS or Alberta Precision Laboratories not allowed
  • Documentation of a medical exemption

There seems to be confusion between the rules around the REP (effective Sept. 20) and the Business restrictions applicable to youth (under 18) sport, fitness, recreation and performance activities (Sept. 16)

This is currently unclear. We have asked the province for clarification

How does the Vaccine Passport Bylaw differ from The Province’s Restriction Exemption Program (REP)?

In Calgary, the Vaccine Passport Bylaw makes it mandatory for all eligible businesses to implement the REP. Operators cannot choose to opt out of the REP.

The bylaw also permits The City’s complement of community peace officers to enforce the bylaw to support compliance city wide

Does the new City of Calgary Vaccine Passport Bylaw apply to me and my business?

You live or operate in Calgary? Yes.

See the details of the City of Calgary Vaccine Passport Bylaw at https://www.calgary.ca/csps/cema/covid19/safety/COVID-19-vaccine-bylaw.html

Are all businesses eligible to participate in REP?

Businesses and events OUTSIDE CALGARY must follow one of these 2 options:

  1. Implement the Restrictions Exemption Program requiring proof of vaccination or negative test result to continue operating as usual, or
  1. Follow business capacity and operating restrictions as outlined on COVID-19 public health actions website

The Restriction Exemption Program does not apply to:

  • businesses or entities that need to be accessed for daily living
  • employees of businesses participating in the program
  • children under 12

For businesses IN CALGARY:

Starting September 23, the City of Calgary Vaccine Passport Bylaw 65M2021 requires many businesses and organizations to require proof of vaccination, recent negative COVID-19 test, or valid medical exemption letter to gain entry.

See https://www.calgary.ca/csps/cema/covid19/safety/COVID-19-vaccine-bylaw.html for more information on requirements and the list of businesses impacted.

Are masks still required in facilities?

Yes, there are provincial requirements for masks to be always worn indoors, unless engaged in a physical activity, or have a medical exemption from an authorizing health professional. This requirement is in place for all facilities regardless of whether there is a Restriction Exemption Program in place.

Do I have to apply for the Restriction Exemption Program (REP) for my business?

Under the Provincial Health measures and REP guidelines, Businesses OUTSIDE Calgary do not need to apply for the program. Audits and enforcement will occur to ensure rules are followed.

IN CALGARY, under Calgary NEW Vaccine Passport Bylaw 65M2021, specific businesses (including Recreation and fitness facilities and adult and youth (12-17) recreational sport groups (players and participants) are required to abide by the new bylaws. See more at https://www.calgary.ca/csps/cema/covid19/safety/COVID-19-vaccine-bylaw.html

If a facility implements the Restrictions Exemption Program can a sport club implement their own instead?

No. Under the Provincial Health measures and REP guidelines, If the facility has adopted the Provincial Restrictions Exemption Program, then user groups are required to fall under their program and not implement a separate one as well. It would be redundant for a user group to implement a restriction exemption program if the facility already has one in place.

IN CALGARY, under Calgary NEW Vaccine Passport Bylaw 65M2021, specific businesses (including Recreation and fitness facilities AND Adult and youth (12-17) recreational sport groups (players and participants) are required to abide by the new bylaws. See more at https://www.calgary.ca/csps/cema/covid19/safety/COVID-19-vaccine-bylaw.html

Are youth required to show proof of vaccination or exemption?

Children 0-11 years of age will NOT be required to show proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test

OUTSIDE CALGARY: Beginning on Monday, September 20, proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test (within the past 72 hours) will be required for all customers 12 years and older to access indoor facilities participating in the Restriction Exemption Program

Regarding youth sport, recreation and performance activities, proof of vaccination for youth under age 18 who are taking part in sport, recreation and performance activities is not required.

However, some arenas and facilities serving both adult and youth populations have decided to take a one-size-fits-all approach to requiring proof of vaccination. Sport providers using / renting facility spaces must still abide by the facility operator’s rules regarding the REP program.

IN CALGARY: Any person aged 12 years and older must show identification and one of the following:

  • Proof of vaccination
  • Proof of negative test result - Tests must not be from Alberta Health Services or Alberta Precision Laboratories.
  • Medical exemption from vaccine letter

See https://www.calgary.ca/csps/cema/covid19/safety/COVID-19-vaccine-bylaw.html

To be eligible for REP, or to be in compliance with the Calgary Vaccine Passport Bylaw, do I need to require my employees to be vaccinated or provide a recent, negative rapid test result?

No.

OUTSIDE CALGARY, The REP is intended to provide businesses with a mechanism to screen patrons for vaccination status. REP does not apply to employees of businesses participating in the program.
Businesses are still welcome and encouraged to implement vaccine requirements and/or rapid testing for employees, however, this is outside the current scope of REP.

IN CALGARY: The Calgary Vaccine Passport bylaw does not apply to workers and employees in/on a worksite for the purposes of their employment

How can my business check vaccination status of patrons?

Right now, there are several options patrons can use to prove vaccination status:

  1. Paper: Immunization record received at immunization appointments
  2. Technology: Records shown from MyHealthRecords app or website
  3. Printable card: Paper card printable from MyHealthRecords app or from alberta.ca/CovidRecords or from a registry

As of October 1, a QR code option could be introduced with additional information for businesses on how to use this option.

What restrictions will apply to Businesses that do NOT implement the Restriction Exemption Program?

IN CALGARY: Effective September 23, the Vaccine Passport Bylaw 65M2021 makes it mandatory for many businesses and organizations to require proof of vaccination, recent negative COVID-19 test, or valid medical exemption letter to gain entry. See https://www.calgary.ca/csps/cema/covid19/safety/COVID-19-vaccine-bylaw.html for list of businesses that must adapt to the new bylaws.

OUTSIDE CALGARY: The timing and variation on restrictions for businesses not participating in REP are wide ranging.

Any business that is evaluating their participation in REP are encouraged to visit the Alberta Government’s website to view a list of full restrictions, timelines and industry-specific requirements.

Effective September 20, 2021 the following restrictions apply to eligible businesses that do not implement the REP.

Restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and nightclubs

  • Indoor dining is not permitted.
  • Outdoor dining only with a maximum of 6 people per table (one household or 2 close contacts for those living alone)
  • Liquor sales and consumption restrictions apply (sales end at 10pm, consumption by 11pm). What restrictions will apply to indoor retail, entertainment and rec centres that don't take part in the program?

Retail, entertainment, and recreation facilities

  • Capacity will be restricted to 1/3 of code occupancy, and
  • masking required and
  • two-metre physical distancing will also be required.
  • People must be with household members only, or two close contacts if they live alone.

Fully outdoor events and venues

  • must maintain 2 metres distancing between households or 2 close contact for those living alone.
  • no capacity restrictions (excluding washrooms),

Sport, fitness, recreation and performance activities

  • Indoor group classes and activities will not be permitted, and
  • indoor competitions will be paused except where vaccine exemptions have been granted.
  • Indoor one-on-one training and solo activities are allowed with three metres of physical distancing.

Visit the Alberta Government’s website to view a list of full restrictions, timelines and industry-specific requirements.

How will the government ensure businesses are implementing REP or complying with restrictions?

The REP will be enforced through audits and fines for non-compliance.

What can businesses expect from government to support implementation, including ability to check vaccination status using QR code technology?

We understand further guidance from the Government of Alberta will be available today on what will be available for businesses to support implementation. Information may be available through Calgary Chamber.

What services in Alberta will be exempt from the program?

Businesses or entities that need to be accessed for "daily living" will not be part of the program, the government says.

The Government of Alberta is putting together a list of what this will include, but examples she provided include grocery stores, gas stations and hardware stores.

What services in Calgary are exempted from the Vaccine Passport bylaw?

  • Events in private dwellings
  • Retail and shopping malls
  • Food courts
  • Libraries
  • Workers and employees in/on a worksite for the purposes of their employment
  • Schools (Kindergarten to Grade 12)
  • School curriculum-based activities
  • Accommodations (e.g., hotel rooms)
  • Places of Worship – for faith services
  • Health Services
  • Personal Services
  • Wellness Services
  • Publicly-funded post secondary institutions, including cafeterias and residence common areas
  • First Nations College entities.

Who in Alberta and/or in Calgary is exempt from the program?

The program won't apply to employees of businesses participating in the program, those who have documentation of a medical exemption for vaccines (proof required), or children under 12.

Where can I find more information?

If you have any other questions, reach out to membership@sportcalgary.ca

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