Hinshaw recommends recreation facilities open to all youth

CALGARY — Calgary recreation facilities are scrambling to reassess newly introduced health measures after Alberta’s top doctor recommended youth be exempt from proof of vaccination requirements to take part in sports.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province’s chief medical officer of health, said during a news conference Tuesday that the government decided against requiring proof of vaccination for youth recreation activities because of its importance to children’s well-being.

“It is necessary to daily living,” Hinshaw said.

Hinshaw said operators can set rules that exceed the minimum requirements in public health orders, but she supports allowing all youth — vaccinated and unvaccinated — to use the facilities whenever possible with other precautions in place.

“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, eliminating options for unvaccinated youth under 18 to take part in sport,” Hinshaw said.

Dr. Cora Constantinescu, a pediatric infectious-disease specialist, said families should be constantly assessing their own personal risks when participating in sports.

“Your individual risk of COVID-19 if you are unvaccinated right now is higher than ever,” said Constantinescu.

“We know this disease has shifted to those who are unvaccinated and our kids are right in there.”