Province relaxes guidelines around practices; multiple groups can participate

More groups will get a chance to share practice space as the Government of Saskatchewan tweaks COVID-19 guidelines surrounding practices.

The province has changed rules regarding how many groups can be on a playing surface at one time.

The limit before was one group of eight. The new guidelines say multiple groups can use the space as long as five metres of physical distancing can be maintained between them.

There must be three metres between participants for high-intensity training and two metres for low-intensity workouts. The limit for each group is still eight and participants must be 18 years of age or younger.

Large pool facilities, ice surfaces and floor spaces such as high school gyms can be used for this.

Bulkheads for pools and barriers or markings must be used to prevent interaction between the groups.

The maximum number of people allowed in a facility is 30, not including coaches or staff.

In a memo to its members, the Saskatchewan Hockey Association says these new guidelines came into effect on Feb. 19.

“Anything that allows more kids on the ice is welcomed,” SHA general manager Kelly McClintock said. “Unfortunately it is a little late because there are a lot of communities that have shut down their rinks already.

“The people that still have their rinks going and kids are still wanting to practise, this does allow more on the ice which means that there’s more efficient use of the ice.”

While the changes came in on Feb. 19, McClintock said the hockey association didn’t find out about them until one week later. He said the changes weren’t posted under the arenas section of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan; it was under the swimming pools heading.

“When there are new items put out, (the province) has to ensure that if they are in multiple areas, then they need to be in multiple areas so people are consistent in where they go to,” McClintock said.

McClintock said the SHA is wrapping up its season, with 95 per cent of leagues wrapping up by the end of March.