Province of BC Public Health Order -Updated Nov 24, 2020

November 19, 2020, a new Provincial Health Officer Order was put in place for all individuals, places of work and businesses across the Province. This Order will be in effect for two weeks, from November 19, 2020 at midnight to December 7, 2020 at midnight and focuses on four areas: social gatherings, travel, group indoor physical activities, and workplace safety.

It important that we all do our part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Below we have worked to identify how these new restrictions impact BC Athletics and its members.

Highlights:

• Competitions and practices can continue with no spectators and no travel.
• No “high intensity” indoor fitness / training that involves heavy breathing.
• No travel to, from and between communities for athletic activities (i.e. competitions, training, and practice). 
• Continue to practice physical distancing and daily screening for symptoms.
• Choose one sport, one club, and one training group.
• Masks are now required for everyone in all public indoor settings.

 

On This Page:

1. Social Gatherings / Training Sessions
2. Travel Restrictions
   1. Travel Exemptions
3. Group Indoor Physical Activities
4. Training Environment Safety Daily Screening
5. 2^nd Claim Club Memberships
6. Mask Requirements
7. Spectators

 

1. Social Gatherings / Training Sessions

• No social gatherings of any size with anyone other than your core bubble. Training and Competitions are not deemed a “Social Gathering” however, athletes should arrive at their scheduled time for training and leave as soon as it is completed. (A core bubble are the people you spend the most time with and are physically close to. For some people, their core bubble is their immediate household. For others, their core bubble may contain a partner, relative, friend or co-parent who lives in a different household.) 
• Avoid having athletes change training groups from day to day or week to week
• Track attendance. Note who shows up to practice and when your practice occurred
• ***Parents can continue to carpool kids to and from approved training sessions and competitions.
• No spectators are allowed at any sport activities under the order. The only people allowed to attend sport activities are those that provide care to a participant or player. For example, providing first aid.

 

2. Travel Restrictions

From November 19, 2020 at 10:00 pm to December 7, 2020 at 12:00 pm travel into, out, and between communities should be limited to essential travel only.

During this time athletes and coaches may continue to train with their club/training groups

• An Athlete/Coach who resides in Surrey may continue to train with their club in Vancouver

Clubs may only take part in competitions held within their local community

• An Athlete/Club from Vancouver cannot take part in a competition held in Abbotsford
• An Athlete/Club from the Lower Mainland cannot take part in a competition held on Vancouver Island.

a. Travel Exemptions 

High performance athletes are not included in the order. To qualify as a high performance athlete, you must  be:

• Identified by the Canadian Sports Institute Pacific as a high performance athlete affiliated with an accredited provincial or national sports organization
• Already training in B.C.
• Continuing to follow the safety guidelines of your provincial sports organization

 

3. Group Indoor Physical Activities

Clubs or training groups in the Province of BC that organize or operate indoor group training must suspend these activities immediately. These activities can be replaced with individual exercise or practice that allows everyone to maintain a safe physical distance. These include training for:

• High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Pole Vault
• Hammer Throw, Discus Throw, Shot Put, Javelin
• Weight Training
• These activities can only be conducted indoors if everyone is able to maintain a safe physical distance.
• No person may attend as a spectator at an indoor sport activity unless this is necessary to provide care to a participant. (i.e. first aid)
• Masks are now required for everyone in all public indoor settings

All other training should continue to be held outdoors. This includes:

• Sprinting, Running, Jogging
• Hurdles
• Circuit Training
• High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Pole Vault (Indoors or Outdoors)
• Hammer Throw, Discus Throw, Shot Put, Javelin (Indoors or Outdoors)
• Any activity that increases the respiratory rate

 

4. Training Environment Safety Daily Screening

A daily screening should already be included in every club and training groups existing COVID-19 safety plan. Conduct routine daily symptom screenings for all coaches, volunteers, and participants. Wellness questionnaires and use of self-assessment tools are recommended.

• BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool.
• SAMPLE Athlete Check-In Document

 

5. 2nd Claim Club Memberships

Athletes who hold a 2nd Claim Club Membership, are asked to select a single club for this period and train exclusively with that club.

 

6. Mask Requirements

Masks are now required for everyone in all public indoor settings and workplaces. People who cannot put on or remove a mask on their own are exempt. This include:

• Community Centres
• Recreation Centres

 

7. Spectators

No spectators are allowed at any sport activities under the order. The only people allowed to attend sport activities are those that provide care to a participant or player. For example, providing first aid.

 

Looking for more information? Visit viaSport’s FAQ here.

 

More information on BC Athletics "Return to Sport" policies and guidelines can be found online here.