Parents,

This week Governor Pritzker announced that Illinois is now following CDC Guidance as it pertains to masks and vaccinated individuals. Effective today, anyone vaccinated no longer needs to wear a mask in public places and no longer needs to adhere to social distancing. While we certainly aren’t out of the woods yet, this is some nice relief from this virus. Like many of you we are left with more questions than answers, but we’d like to provide you with what we know, and how we proceed from here. 

The CDC and State’s guidance cites “anyone fully vaccinated”. Therefore, at the time of this writing, only individuals 12 and older are eligible to receive one of the approved vaccines. UGA Tinley will follow this directive as it pertains to individuals who meet this criteria. Any athlete, family or staff who has received the vaccine and is considered “fully vaccinated” can therefore remove their masks in our facility. Frankly this only pertains to a very small portion of our athletes since an overwhelming majority aren’t eligible they will be expected to continue the mask guidance and do their best, at age appropriate levels. Parents we are asking for your cooperation not only with your children but also yourselves. A certain bit of public responsibility is necessary as no UGA Tinley staff member will approach an individual to require proof of vaccination. Any UGA Tinley staff member not masked has been vetted internally to be fully vaccinated and have met the requirements to be unmasked, but reserve their right to continue should they feel safer. 

We know there is still a present risk of the virus and we will still continue our best to keep your children, and anyone who enters our premises safe. We will continue our increased cleaning regimen in the gym and as the weather increasingly improves offer additional outdoor seating for those who wish to be in more open air environments. As always should anyone vaccinated wish to remain masked, we support the decision and hope to make UGA Tinley a place where everyone feels safe and comfortable. 

Again we appreciate your cooperation and continued support of UGA Tinley. 

Mike Kociolek