Phase 4 Restrictions July 6 2020

Group and Individual Activities

Indoor sports and recreational activities may resume on July 6. This document is outlining how Communiskate is implementing measures to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

COVID-19 droplet transmission is much more likely when individuals are in close contact. The likelihood of transmission between individuals participating in sport, physical activity and recreation in an indoor setting is significantly higher. Transmission is less likely in an outdoor setting, where air flow is greater and there is more space for individuals to keep physically distanced.

Communiskate is aligning with provincial and national sporting bodies for on ice activity and are working to be as restrictive as the provincial guidelines.  Our plan it to minimize physical contact and the risk of COVID-19 transmission between participants.

Guidelines for General Operation for Staff and Participants

• This document is provided to the Staff and participants for information on physical distancing and other requirements prior to attending
• Participants are not to arrive no more than 20 MINUTES before the scheduled activity to reduce people gathering in groups and can get dressed at the rink in their assigned dressing rooms
• Participants will be required to be cleared out of the dressing rooms within 15 MINUTES after their assigned ice time to allow the staff to fog/disinfect the room prior to the next group coming in.
• We are discouraging showering if it is absolutely necessary and a participant can still be out of the arena 15 minutes after, they can use at their own discretion – the facility staff will be fogging the showers after each use
• We want to encourage patrons to limit their time spent in the facility, there is less risk this way. We need to work together to keep everyone safe that comes into our facility including our staff.  If we stay safe there is a better chance of our leagues continuing in the fall.
• Communiskate will provide access to handwashing facilities or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN number)
• Drinking fountains will remain closed please bring your own personal marked water bottles – no sharing of personal items
• Instruction is permitted with no contact and appropriate physical distancing. If physical distancing cannot be maintained or is unpredictable, a mask can be worn, and they can be purchased at Extreme Hockey for $11.99 these masks were developed by Bauer, they will also be available in our Pro Shop soon
• Parents and other spectators must not total more than 30 people per the public health order and must ensure physical distancing between non-household members
• Please only ONE spectator per participant
• Spectators must maintain distancing of at least two metres from other members of the public. There will be a designated area for you to sit
  Spectators please remain out of participant spaces

Competition and Game Play

• If physical distancing is possible, certain individual and group organized sports, physical activities and recreation activities may proceed as normal (programming, training, practice, and competition) while following the guidelines for general operations.
• Tournaments and interprovincial competition are not permitted.
• For sports or activities where participants are unable to adhere to physical distancing, groupings (mini leagues) should be formed. Mini leagues can be comprised of multiple teams, but no more than 50 individuals.
• Mini leagues allow sports teams to return to a safe level of play and will help mitigate the risk of widespread transmission by limiting the number of athletes that come in close contact with each other.
• The 50-person maximum per mini-league includes coaches/staff, instructors, participants from multiple teams, officials and volunteers who cannot always maintain two metres of distancing from others .
• No single group on the ice surface, shall exceed the gathering limits in the public health order (30).
• Teams need to be separated while on the sidelines, and players cannot exceed 50 person gathering limits during games, practices, or training.
• Mini leagues must be comprised of individuals within the same neighbourhood, community, or local geographical region (e.g. within a rural municipality, town, quadrant of a city or nearest community).
• Mini leagues should remain together until restrictions are further relaxed.
• Game play can resume between teams in a mini-league and must be limited to teams within the same mini-league
• Teams in different mini leagues should not play each other.
• At least two metres distancing should be maintained between all individuals, except members of the same household, when off the field of play (e.g. on benches, during intermission).
• If physical distancing cannot be maintained or is unpredictable, a mask should be worn by those not participating in the activity (i.e. coaches, volunteers, etc.)

Participant Health and Illness

• Patrons/staff who are sick or symptomatic must not enter/participate.
• Players whose activities involve being within two metres of other players should self-monitor and consider wearing a mask under their helmets – these can be purchased at Extreme Hockey for $11.99 developed by Bauer and will be available at our Pro Shop soon. 
• Organizers must keep a record of attendees. All players, spectators, staff, and volunteers must sign in on arrival with name and phone number and/or email to facilitate contact tracing, if necessary, and keep attendance records for a minimum of one month. Where possible, do not use a common pen. Providing this information is voluntary for attendees and can only be used for the purposes of COVID-19 contact tracing

Physical Distancing

• Physical distancing must always be observed , with a minimum of two metres of space between individuals.
• Players on the same team grouping may be within two metres during play/drills.
• Intentional contact should be minimized where possible.
• Wherever possible, promote physical distancing by:
  • Promoting one-way traffic flow to avoid individuals from inadvertently interacting.
  • Spacing seats or assigning seating at two-metre distances

Hand Hygiene

• Hand hygiene should be performed prior to play and contacting shared equipment, as well as through the duration of the activity (i.e. intermissions, breaks, etc.) and at the end.

Conduct

• Spitting (includes seeds, tobacco, and fluids) and other similar activities increase the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and are not permitted.
• Individuals must not share personal items (i.e. equipment or beverage containers).
• Congratulatory gestures such as high fives and handshakes are not permitted.
• Spectators, participants and players, staff, coaches, and volunteers should try to minimize cheering and whistling as much as possible to control the spread of COVID-19.
• Intentional contact during sport or activity must be limited.
• Modifications to activities that limit physical contact are recommended

Thank you for taking the necessary precautions and doing what you can to limit the spread of COVID-19. By working together and going the extra mile, as an organization and as neighbors, we can make a difference. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Have fun and stay safe!

Paula Runge, Executive Director