Hey ToPL!

We hope you are all doing well and had a great summer!

As we’re kind of overdue for an update about the league, we wanted to reach out about where things are at currently.

All throughout the COVID pandemic, the leadership team have been continuing to evaluate and plan options for our eventual resumption of ToPL league play.  Mike, Myles, and I connect regularly to discuss considerations of the continually evolving pandemic situation.

Currently, Ontario is experiencing the onset of a fourth wave brought about by the Delta variant of the Coronavirus.  The Delta variant is significantly more transmissible and significantly more virulent than the original strain of the virus – people catch it more easily and more people are hospitalized with more severe symptoms.

While Ontario (and Canada for the most part) is seeing good vaccination rates, the Delta variant is causing an increase in tested case numbers and an increase in hospitalization.  Add to this that everyone under the age of 12 has no protection from vaccination at all yet.  As colder weather arrives and people spend more time indoors, case counts typically rise.

Unfortunately, we’ve all seen in the news about how Alberta’s reopening too soon and abandonment of safety precautions has created an emergency situation for that province.  This is not a situation we would want to risk emulating.  ToPL plays at many collections in people’s homes where they and their families live.  Many members have kids under the age of 12.  Currently, bringing a large group into someone’s home is not a safe or responsible thing to do for the host’s family or the families that we all go home to afterward.

As such, we are currently exploring options for a cautious resumption of some league events when the prognosis of this fourth wave is more clear, hopefully before the end of the year.  What will this look like?  We will initially start with some tournaments with limited numbers at a public venue.  All participants will have to show proof that they have had their 2nd COVID vaccination dose at least 2 weeks before the event, and masks will be worn indoors at all times.  Full details will accompany any announcement for an event.

We miss ToPL league events just as much as everyone, and eagerly look forward to getting back to it when it is safe and responsible to do so.

David Newman
President – Toronto Pinball League
ToPL.ca