The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 has affected everyone around the world in one way or another, from a mild annoyance to severe sickness and death.
In order to prevent the further spreading of the disease, and still allow tennis players to practice their sport in a safe way, a number of extraordinary measures must be taken; they are detailed below. The Provincial and City rules governing behaviour during the pandemic are ever changing, depending on the circumstances. We will be posting them below as they are updated and published.
Summary of do’s and don’ts – July 9, 2021 (Phase/Step 3)
Same as from June 11, with the following changes
- Clubhouse use is permitted: max 24 persons inside, 2 m distancing and mask wearing (sign posted at the door)
- Leagues play is allowed
- Outdoor distancing: 2m or more.
Summary of do’s and don’ts – June 11, 2021
- Community clubs are allowed to operate under the Guidelines for Phase 1; see here
- Recreational playing is allowed, singles and doubles
- Day camps and instruction are allowed; max 10 people per court.
- Clubhouse is closed (except for bathroom use)
- Court booking is mandatory
- Outdoor gathering 10 persons or less – parents/spectators
- No leagues
- Physical distancing to be maintained (2m min)
Summary of dos and don’ts – May 22, 2021
- Community tennis clubs are allowed to re-open with restrictions. See Guidance from the City here (takes precedence) and Recommendations from the OTA here.
- Recreational playing only is allowed, singles and doubles
- No leagues, house or inter-club.
- Instructions and camps are not allowed until further notice.
- Clubhouse closed.
- Court booking mandatory
Summary of dos and don’ts – April 16, 2021
- Tennis courts are ordered closed.
Summary of dos and don’ts – April 6, 2021 and April 13, 2021 (no guarantee of accuracy or completeness)
- Tennis courts allowed to be open with restrictions.
- Tennis (incl. doubles) not a team sport; doubles permitted
- Clubhouse closed; no outside furniture; waiting outside the club fence
- Self-screen: coughing, sneezing, breathing difficulty, fever, chills, etc.
- Practise appropriate protective measures: distancing, hand sanitizing, mask wearing, etc.
- Use only personal gear and equipment
- Children camps are NOT allowed
- Registrations and reservations are a must for tracking – online preferred
- Instructional programs NOT permitted
- No leagues, no tournaments
Summaries of dos and don’ts – March 24, 2021 (no guarantee of accuracy or completeness)
- Tennis courts allowed to be open with restrictions.
- Tennis (incl. doubles) not a team sport; doubles permitted
- Clubhouse closed; no outside furniture; waiting outside the club fence
- Self-screen: coughing, sneezing, breathing difficulty, fever, chills, etc.
- Practise appropriate protective measures: distancing, hand sanitizing, mask wearing, etc.
- Use only personal gear and equipment
- Children camps are allowed; must follow guidelines
- Registrations and reservations are a must for tracking
- Instructional programs not permitted
In addition to the Provincial and City rules, the Club will be applying additional rules which are similar to those established in 2020:
- Membership registration and payment is only electronically; see our website here. The membership registration form now has extra compulsory check boxes for COVID-19-related pledges and waivers.
- Walk-ins are discouraged. You must book your court time online here. Additional data is required on the court booking form to permit subsequent tracing; please fill it diligently and truthfully; it could save your life.
Players who sign up for themselves and their family must take on full responsibility for their decision to play at the Club during the COVID-19 pandemic, and must agree to keep the HFTC and their volunteer Board harmless by agreeing to the updated Waiver of Liability and Consent, including the COVID 19 addendum. HFTC members, by signing up for membership (incl. juniors and families), are acknowledging that they accept all the rules established by the Province, the City and the Club and will abide by them.
City of Toronto documents – 2021
- Guidelines for Tennis Community Clubs during COVID-19 – April 13, 2021
- Guidance for Outdoor Recreational Amenities – April 6, 2021
- Guidance for Outdoor Recreational Amenities – March 24, 2021
- Letter re. Club opening options – March 24, 2021
- Guidance for Outdoor Recreational Amenities – March 19, 2021
City of Toronto documents – 2020