The new restrictions announced by the Saskatchewan Health Authority and Government of Saskatchewan on Friday morning will have little effect on the sports community in the province, as authorities opted not to go the same direction as Manitoba with a complete shutdown.
Plenty of concerns were voiced on social media in the last 24 hours, after it was announced the province would be announcing new restrictions in light of the current caseload of COVID-19.
Manitoba recorded 437 new cases and five more deaths on Friday alone. That led to the province imposing tough new restrictions — including the complete shutdown of sports in the province, including the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, where members of the Moose Jaw Warriors were playing in order to get in ice time before the proposed Jan. 8 start of the Western Hockey League season.
The toughest portion of Saskatchewan’s new restrictions when it comes to sports involves gyms and fitness facilities, which are allowed to remain open but with a limit of eight participants in group activities, and only if three metres of spacing can be maintained. The same applies to aerobic activities such as treadmills, stationary bikes and lane swimming, if everything is physically distanced.
The new COVID-19 measures announced Friday did touch on sports, though.
A large update was made to the Sports and Activities Guidelines, covering the wide selection of guidance that had been in place through various leagues and activities as sports began to return to play. You can see that whole list by clicking right here.
In addition, an Arena Facilities Guideline section was added to the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, largely pointing out that the Saskatchewan Hockey Association is working with member organizations and communities to ensure all necessary public health measure are being followed. That, in addition to reiterating that facility operators are responsible for putting measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. That can be seen right here.
For more information, including a complete rundown of all advisories and news releases, visit www.saskatchewan.ca.
