IMPORTANT MEMORANDUM

 

TO:      Hockey NL Members

DATE:  January 20th, 2022

RE:      COVID-19 UPDATE- Suspension Lifted

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Department of Public Health advised our organization yesterday that they have made some adjustments to the overall guidance for Sport and Recreation in the province that will allow our sport to return to drills and skills only, effective immediately.

Here is the clarification we received yesterday:

  • Participants in sport and recreation activities at arenas, gyms and fitness facilities, including yoga studios, indoor swimming pools, indoor tennis, squash facilities and dance studios are limited to groups of no more than 50 people or 25 per cent capacity, whichever is less, per rink surface, playing space or room. Physical distancing of 2 meters between different households must be maintained. 
  • Non-contact skill development training sessions are permitted during Alert Level 4, with the following guidance:
    • Training should occur between one or more participants of a household and their Tight 10 and 1-2 coaches. These training pods should be kept separated by at least two meters (six feet) from other pods, and participants/coaches should not change pods during the session.
    • Athletes and coaches should wear non-medical masks for the duration of the training session. It is recommended that athletes engage in low intensity physical activity during the skill development session. Athletes may choose to bring a face mask with them to the training session that they can wear at the end of the skill development session if needed.

Clarification:

Public Health indicates the Overall Guidance for Sport and Recreation applies to all sport and recreation groups listed above. Public Health indicated the bullet describing “training pods” was provided as a suggestion for those organizations and facilities that wish to offer group activities. However, all group activities are permitted, provided that physical distancing between households is maintained at all times and capacity limits are followed.

Additional information can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/employers/recreation/overall-guidance/

Based on our practice structure and ice rink dimensions, practices shall not have no more than 25 participants (players and coaches included) on the ice surface in any one session to support the maintenance of physical distance.  Should your association require any resources in creating practices and drills to support the physical distance requirement, please contact our Manager, Development and High Performance, Chad Brinson at [email protected]

Should you have any questions, please contact our office at 709-489-5512.

Sincerely,

Hockey NL Board of Directors