Health Policies
Children’s Healthcare Canada is excited to host everyone in person again, safely. As frontline representatives in the fight against COVID-19, Children’s Healthcare Canada and our delegates must go above and beyond to reduce the risk of spreading to those who are vulnerable. The safety of all attendees is of utmost importance to Children’s Healthcare Canada. We will be monitoring the COVID-19 status and following guidance from the Public Health Agency of Canada as well as following standards set forth by the venue and Ottawa Public Health.
Our Duty of Care to Attendees
As mentioned, the safety and well-being of our attendees is our top priority. It is the intention of Children’s Healthcare Canada to go above and beyond provincial and municipal public health guidelines in Ottawa, ON regarding COVID-19 at the time of the event in November/December 2022. Our host venue, the Shaw Centre, also has several protocols in place per their standards. You can find their full Safety Plan here: https://www.shaw-centre.com/media-centre/news/health-and-safety/
We will follow the below outlined protocols for our in-person attendees:
- Children’s Healthcare Canada is requiring that all conference attendees show proof that they have received 3 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine during the onsite registration process when picking up their badge. We are an inclusive organization and would like you to join the conference; if you are not vaccinated, we invite you to register to attend our conference virtually.
- Children’s Healthcare Canada is requiring that all attendees wear a properly fitting mask covering their nose and mouth while in the Children’s Healthcare Canada meeting space. Masks may only be removed when actively eating or drinking while stationary. Presenters and speakers can choose to remove their masks while presenting and stationary if they are able to maintain a distance of 6 feet from others. While we do encourage you to bring plenty of your own proper masks with you to Ottawa, a limited number of disposable masks will also be available at the Children’s Healthcare Canada Registration Desk located on the Second Level of the Shaw Centre.
- Children’s Healthcare Canada is asking that delegates do not overcrowd rooms. Although there is no capacity limit, as announced by the provincial government as of March 16, 2022, to ensure the safety and comfort of all attendees, Children’s Healthcare Canada will ensure chairs in session rooms and set around tables at food and beverage functions will be set at 80% capacity where possible. Children’s Healthcare Canada reserves the right to refuse further admission to any session that has reached capacity.
- Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the venue.
Up to date provincial gathering restrictions can be found here:
www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/hosting-postponing-or-cancelling-mass-gatherings.aspx As an added layer of preparedness, the Children's Healthcare Canada Conference Team took part in a Pandemic On-Site Protocol course and are certified in monitoring and maintaining a safe environment for all during events.
Attendees Duty of Care
The 2022 Children’s Healthcare Canada Annual Conference has been planned and structured with the safety and comfort of our guests in mind. Once onsite, however, we need the support and collaboration of all attendees to manage risk and keep each other safe.
With this in mind, we ask every attendee to abide by the distancing, hygiene, and mask wearing guidelines as outlined above.
Should you develop symptoms while present at the conference, we ask you to please contact our onsite health officer by phone or email. Please do not present yourself at the registration desk or participate in in-person conference activities.
Onsite Health Officer Lisa Stromquist
Associate Director, Strategy & Engagement
Cell: 613-858-1877
Email:
lstromquist@childrenshealthcarecanada.ca A limited number of rapid tests will be available at the event and can be requested by contacting the Onsite Health Officer. Any attendee displaying symptoms is asked to remain in their hotel room, if staying at the venue, or to return to their place of residence.
Any personal information collected will be held in the strictest confidence and is being collected to meet Children’s Healthcare Canada’s diligence in maintaining records that allow us to satisfy our legal obligation to ensure a healthy and safe workplace and event, including by collecting information that will allow us to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace, and at the event.
