The Sault Ste. Marie YMCA issued the following statement today in response to the ongoing COVID-19 situation:
Dear YMCA members and participants,
In light of the recent announcement on March 12, 2020 by the Minister of Education closing all public funded schools until April 5, 2020, we want to provide you with an update for our YMCA.
Child care
We have been officially informed that all childcare programs with the Algoma District School Board and the Huron Superior Catholic School Board will be closed. This includes our sites located at Boreal, Tarentorus, Riverview, Isabel Fletcher and Our Lady of Lourdes. The closure will take effect as of Saturday, March 14 to April 5.
The Sault Ste. Marie YMCA is diligently working on the best care solution for our children and we will be updating our website regularly with new updates as they become available. Please know that the health and well-being of our children and families are of the utmost importance. Based on advice from Algoma Public Health, Licensed Child Care and March Break Camp for the week of March 16 will continue at our main McNabb Street site. Starting Monday, March 16, active screening will be in place at intakes for the Child Care and March Break Camps.
Health, fitness and aquatics
The Health, Fitness and Aquatics site will remain open at this time. Algoma Public Health has indicated that the risk is still low. We take the safety, health, and well-being of our members, participants, volunteers, and staff very seriously. During these stressful times, it is important to take care of your health, physically and mentally and continue to build your immune system.
If you are feeling unwell, we ask that you do stay home.
To prevent the spread of illness within the YMCA:
• We have reviewed our daily cleaning and sanitation protocol for all program areas and have modified and enhanced daily procedures where necessary and appropriate.
• We are making available hand sanitizers throughout our facilities.
• Our staff are committed to high standards for sanitizing the equipment in the fitness facilities as well as all high use surfaces.
• We have shared fact sheets and recommended protocols for minimizing disease transmission in our centre.
Employment Services
Our STEPP Employment Program remains open at this time. Algoma Public Health has indicated that the risk is still low.
We are asking that all staff, volunteers, members and participants are respectful of the following guidelines set forth by the Public Health Units and Canada Health Agency:
• Practice social distancing
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the washroom and when preparing food
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
• Cover your mouth and nose with your arm when coughing and sneezing
There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Algoma District. Please continue to monitor Algoma Public Health’s page for updated information.
We have been actively trying to prevent the spread of germs by having notifications to our participants regarding the precautions from Algoma Public Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada. There is accessible hand sanitizer, signage for proper precautions and we are cleaning our surfaces regularly.
We are taking our directions from Algoma Public Health and our Ministries. We may need to implement public screening before YMCA entrance is granted in some of our programs and services. We are aiming to give staff and participants as much notice as possible however, with the situation rapidly changing, we appreciate your cooperation should we need to implement this for our staff, members or participants.
We recognize that this is a stressful and unsettling time for our community. Rest assured that we are looking at the best possible way to support our members, families, community and staff.
As more information becomes available or as the situation changes, we will be sure to update you as soon as possible.
Please check back to our Facebook page or website for regular updates.
