The WHL is the latest sports league to take action in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Just yesterday, the NHL, NBA, Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer all announced that locker room access is now restricted to all non-essential personnel. The WHL is now following suit with their own set of recommendations.
Clubs and officials have been advised to minimize contact via the following methods:
- Elimination of handshakes between teammates, opponents, and officials;
- No sharing of water bottles or towels on benches or penalty box areas;
- Avoiding direct contact with fans (e.g. high fives, handshakes, and autographing of items).
Currently, WHL policy defines dressing rooms as restricted areas. As such, all media opportunities will be conducted in designated media areas outside dressing rooms.
Players and personnel are being advised to continue practising proper hygiene, including thorough hand washing and use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
Additionally, the league has ensured that medial and training staff for all 22 WHL teams have been provided with information regarding COVID-19. Anyone who displays symptoms will be expected to report to medical staff immediately.
For more information on COVID-19, visit the Government of Saskatchewan’s website.
