Hockey season is back in Northwestern Ontario and with that the return of hockey tournaments.
Tournaments are the time for family and friends, along with others from many other communities to gather and take in some hockey.
The Northwestern Health Unit has brought forward a COVID-19 safety plan for this hockey tournament season to keep people safe and protected.
“A tournament often gathers many people from different communities, schools, and workplaces, and has the potential for spreading COVID-19 across our region very quickly. We ask the public to be mindful of risk when they are participating,” said Dr. Kit Young Hoon, Medical Officer of Health for the Northwestern Health Unit.
“Since many of our cases acquired COVID-19 through socializing with other adults. It is important that anyone attending tournaments follow public health guidance and regulations including gathering limits,” added Young Hoon.
Below is the full tournament safety outline from the NWHU:
Things to keep in mind:
• Children under the age of 12 have not had the COVID-19 vaccine; keep them safe and healthy by following all preventive measures.
• The fewer people who gather, the lower the risk of spreading COVID-19.
• Knowing someone does not reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19.
When participating in the tournament:
• Everyone should be actively screened before participating. Anyone that is ill, even with mild symptoms, should not participate and should stay away from others. Those who fail the COVID-19 screen should get tested as soon as possible.
• Teams should stay separate from other teams except when playing (do not share changerooms and consider having designated areas in the facility for each team).
• Consider having designated areas for spectators from each team to minimize close interaction with others.
When socializing between games:
• Teams should stay separate from other teams as much as possible – during meals, group activities, and when socializing – including any parents or guardians travelling with the team.
• Consider wearing a mask if gathering with others and keep a 2m distance.
• If staying overnight, limit mixing households as much as possible.
Follow the rules:
• Everyone participating must adhere to current provincial regulations Anyone aged 12 and older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of identification and COVID-19 vaccination to access indoor areas of facilities to watch events.
• All social gatherings that take place during tournaments must abide by current gathering limits.
If crossing municipal, provincial, or international boundaries, participants must comply with any regulations of that location’s Public Health Unit or Municipality. Sport organizations may also have policies in places that must be followed.