The following outlines information on Mass Gatherings: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/health-professionals/mass-gatherings-risk-assesment.html
The current risk level in Alberta is low.
This situation serves as a reminder that the health and safety of participants is a priority, and prevention in the hockey environment should be considered by those around the game.
- The following are recommendations that should be considered at all times:
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Make soap and/or hand sanitizer available in dressing rooms and hotels.
- Avoid contact with sick people, including avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections.
- Gloves should be worn by staff handling towels or laundry in the team environment.
- Towels should not be shared on the team bench. Players should not share clothing, bar soap or other personal items such as razors.
The following protocol as it relates to the use of water bottles:
o Good team hygiene includes ensuring all players and staff have their own water bottles to prevent the transmission of viruses and bacteria.
o Bottles should be labelled and washed after each practice or game.
o It is further recommended that officials avoid the practice of drinking from the goaltender?s water bottle. If officials require water during a game, we suggest they have their own water bottle at the penalty bench.
o There should not be sharing of water bottles in the penalty box, as well as no sharing of towels.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. Practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, wash hands).
- Advise players to try and not touch their own mouths or nose when in the hockey environment to reduce the chance of them passing an infection on to themselves.
- Monitor illness and injury in all teams.
- Team members should be encouraged to self-report if they feel ill.
- Fist bump with gloves on, instead of shaking hands (Elimination Game / Hand Shake lines, Officials / Coaches – no handshake)
We will continue to monitor the situation moving forward.