News

Effective immediately, our Covid protocol changes as follows:
Vaccines are no longer mandated;
Hikes are available to non-members, with the requirement that they complete the GHTA Inc. waiver every time they hike.

Covid is still present and still a possible threat, albeit less life-threatening than 2 years ago – so if someone is not well, it is expected that they will not attend a hike.

With the change in Provincial restrictions, group hikes can be up to 100 persons. 

Otherwise we continue to require that attendees be fully vaccinated, wear masks when they cannot maintain distance, and not attend if they have possible Covid symptoms (even if negative on Covid-19 Rapid Antigen test).

Car-pooling recommendations remain in place – maximum 4 per vehicle, windows cracked, wear masks.  If you do not feel comfortable car-pooling you are not under pressure to do so.  

This protocol is effective as of Feb. 17, 2022.

As you all know, the Ontario Public Health Regulations regarding COVID-19 are being eased as of Monday, January 31, 2022, which includes the ability to return to larger group hikes of up to 25 in the outdoors. The Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc., however, still wishes to restrict participation in group hikes to fully vaccinated (preferably including the booster) individuals and to give priority to Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association members. 

Carpooling remains “tricky”. However, we believe that we can support carpooling as follows:    Max of 4 people per car
    Mask wearing
    Windows cracked
    All fully vaccinated

To improve ventilation, consider using the vehicle climate control system and the car windows to improve fresh air intake/air circulation. Increased airflow can reduce contaminant buildup. Avoid using the recirculated air option.

Some hikers may still feel hesitant to drive with others, and others may still feel hesitant to share their car or may want to limit passengers to one person only in the back seat. Let’s be sensitive to these concerns and leave it up to the individuals to decide what they are comfortable with. 

And lastly, space permitting, fully vaccinated non-members may participate in our group hikes; hike leaders should have them fill in the Waiver of Liability and Assumption of Risk, as posted here. On the form, non-members need to provide their contact information and emergency contact name and number. (Members already confirmed that they read and will abide by the terms and conditions listed on the waiver when they renewed their membership or signed up for a new membership.)

Thank you all for your cooperation. Happy Winter Hiking!

Frieda Baldwin
President, Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc. 

While being cautiously optimistic, we are looking forward to the loosening of the Ontario Health Regulations with respect to Covid, which – as announced yesterday – will be effective as of January 31, 2022. At that time, we expect that outdoor group hike attendance can be increased to 25.
However, until that time, strict guidelines have to be followed by all hike participants:

– max 10 for group hikes; social distancing, including mask wearing if within 2 m of each other; only fully vaccinated hikers can participate in group hikes; car-pooling not recommended, unless with members of your household.

We have no provincial guidelines regarding carpooling, but we set our car-pooling guidelines to be logically consistent with the tightened restrictions currently in place.  Thus, in keeping with the “loosened” restrictions expected Jan. 31, at that time we think it is reasonable to resume carpooling within the previous guidelines – windows cracked open for ventilation, and masks on, max 4 per vehicle.