HOCKEY ALBERTA COVID UPDATE Feb 6, 2021
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Hockey’s Path Forward - Hockey activities are allowed in Step 1
On February 4, Hockey Alberta issued Information Bulletin 20-10, informing Members of the conclusion of regular league play in AAA, AA and Tiered leagues. The Bulletin also indicated that within the Government of Alberta’s newly-announced A Path Forward the earliest hockey activities of any kind could resume was Step 2 (March 1).
However, updates provided by the Government this morning (Saturday, February 6) have provided some good news for Hockey Alberta and our Members.
Children and youth will be allowed to participate in limited team sport activities in Step 1, subject to certain mandatory restrictions as outlined by the Government of Alberta on the A Path Forward webpage.
For Hockey’s Path Forward, effective Monday, February 8, practices are allowed for indoor and outdoor training. Please note, games are not allowed. The maximum number of participants is 10 (including coaches and trainers).
Full details and safety restrictions are outlined in the attached document, along with answers to questions that have been posed by Hockey Alberta Members. This information will be posted to Hockey Alberta’s Return to Hockey webpage and updated regularly as required.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office.
Drew Dixon,
Senior Manager, Member Development
ddixon@hockeyalberta.ca
403-342-6777
Step 1 - Hockey’s Path Forward Hockey activities CAN occur starting Feb. 8
NOTE: The options outlined are subject to the finalization of applicable Public Health Orders.
Step 1 of the Government of Alberta’s A Path Forward allows the opportunity for specific hockey activity to occur and comes into effect February 8. Children and youth will be allowed to participate in limited team sport activities, subject to certain mandatory restrictions as outlined by the Government of Alberta on the A Path Forward webpage.
The following rules and guidelines are in place for permitted hockey activities, effective Feb. 8.
• Practices are allowed for indoor and outdoor training. o Games are not allowed.
• All players must be 18 years old or younger.
• Maximum of 10 total participants, including all coaches and players.
• At least 1 registered coach for the 2020-21 season must be on ice at all times and have at minimum RIS - Activity Leader training.
• Physical distancing must be maintained between players at all times: o 3-metres physical distance for indoor activities
o 2-metres physical distance for outdoor activities
• Coaches should use equipment to ensure physical distancing is maintained. (dividers, pylons, nets, bingo dabber, ice paint etc.)
• Coaches may enter physical distancing space for brief interactions with players (for example, to correct form or technique)
• Players must wear a face covering at all times, except during the training activity.
• Coaches must wear a face covering at all times.
• Access to change rooms must be limited, including accelerated arrival and departure, emergencies (for example, first aid) and washroom use.
• For outdoor practices: o Coaches must wear standard equipment (helmet, skates, gloves).
o Players must wear standard full equipment.
o Hockey Canada insurance applies for all registered coaches and players.
Step 1 - Hockey’s Path Forward Hockey activities CAN occur starting Feb. 8
NOTE: The options outlined are subject to the finalization of applicable Public Health Orders.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Can we split the ice surface in half to have two groups of 10 on one ice surface?
Based on current information, the maximum number of coaches and players on one ice surface is limited to 10. Hockey Alberta is clarifying this question with the Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation (SPAR) branch.
2. Can players and coaches from different teams participate on the same ice session?
Yes. An ice session can include players and coaches from different teams and divisions.
3. Can coaches lead multiple ice session in a row?
Yes. However, there can be no overlap between players (ie players can't warm up while the other players are finishing a practice).
4. If our community arena no longer has ice, are we able to access other facilities?
Yes, given availability, member organizations are free to access facilities outside their community. This happens in many areas within the province and that remains an option.
5. If our organization is no longer offering programming, can our players join programming being offered by another organization?
Yes. If no hockey program is being offered by a player’s host organization, players can register for and participate in any program offered by a member organization within 100 km of their permanent residence.
6. How does our organization ensure ice sessions are sanctioned by Hockey Alberta?
Members (including MHAs, Club Teams, Rec/ Pond Hockey programs, Para Hockey programs, Accredited Schools, etc.) can schedule and operate sanctioned events without having to complete any additional application processes.
7. What responsibility does an organization have with regards to contact tracing?
Prior to attending an activity each day, the organizer should distribute the Alberta Health Daily Checklist to all participants. If a participant can answer YES to any of the questions, they are not to attend.
During each activity, the organization must designate an individual to record the names of all participants to assist AHS should an individual test positive for COVID-19 and contact tracing is necessary (listings for each event/activity must be kept to ensure a record of who was present).
8. Are parents allowed in the facility to observe the ice sessions?
Spectators may be allowed in the facility, subject to physical distancing measures (based on current Government of Alberta and local municipal restrictions) and any specific directions provided by facility management. The allowance of spectators is at the discretion of each facility and should spectators be allowed, they should be kept out of all participant spaces (ice surface, dressing rooms, benches) and must maintain 2 metres of distance between members of different households.
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