As mentioned yesterday, the
Middlesex London Health Unit held a virtual town hall meeting this afternoon to discuss the newly modified Section 22 Class Order Health and Safety measures introduced by Dr Chris Mackie. London's hockey community instantly spoke up and expressed concerns with several of the new measures that would take effect on Saturday Oct 24 at 12:01am. Dr. Mackie graciously revisited the new Section 22 Class Order surrounding newly introduced restrictions involving our indoor sports facilities in the London region and revised the Class Order with the following new protocols:
- Coaches must wear facial coverings at all times inside the arena and while on the ice
- Maximum of 25 persons on an ice pad at one time. To be split into two cohorts less than 12 persons per cohort
- Minimum of 3 metres between two cohorts on ice when all players are running drills
- Minimum of 6 feet in between each player on bench at all times
- Minimum of 6 feet in between each player while off the ice at all times
- Players are either wearing masks or they are wearing helmets at all times
- No contact allowed during drills
- In the event of contact during a drill, coach must blow the drill dead and players retreat to their bench
- 4 on 4 for scrimmage play only if your division allows for scrimmage play
- Spectators must achieve 6 feet of distance between each other at all times
Our health unit will be onsite and conducting random audits of our practices frequently and in the event we fail to comply with any of the restrictions outlined, we not only risk a fine up to $25000, we also run the risk of losing our entire season. We encourage our members to inform our board members in the event they witness any breach in compliance. This will allow us to educate our members and control any issues before running the risk of potentially becoming non-compliant.
The success of our season lies in our hands. Let's work together to assure we set the stage for a fun season, a safe season, and maintain our reputation as London's best minor hockey association! GO HAWKS!