ShareSMHA Mask Requirement in place beginning September 9, 2021
2021-09-08
SMHA Board of Directors approved a masking requirement at its September 7, 2021 meeting...
SMHA MASK REQUIREMENT EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 9
The SMHA Board of Directors approved a Mask Requirement at its Board meeting last night (Sept. 7, 2021). The requirement described below comes into effect on Thursday, September 9 and is in effect until at least September 30, 2021. A reassessment and a determination of the path forward will be made on or before September 30th.
The Mask Requirement applies to all SMHA members and teams and covers all components of minor hockey - players, on-ice coaches, bench staff, on-ice officials, off-ice officials and parents / spectators.
This mask requirement applies to SMHA players, coaches, officials and spectators at all ice times they have - SMHA-assigned ice or privately booked ice in Saskatoon or outside of Saskatoon. Please be consistent and apply in all situations so there is no doubt. We should be protecting each other at all times.
The SMHA Mask Requirement has been put in place for multiple reasons. The main reason is simple - we collectively need to do what we can do to keep our kids playing hockey this season. Other key reasons:
- The very high number of COVID-19 cases in Saskatoon currently;
- Nearly 50% of the full ice surfaces that SMHA utilizes already have mask policies in place - the **City of Saskatoon** (five arenas) and **Merlis Belsher Place** (two surfaces).
- Tryouts create busy arenas with all of the extra people in the rinks - volunteers and coaches.
- Our players 11 years of age and younger are not yet eligible to be vaccinated.
SMHA wants to create a consistent environment so when players, officials, coaches and spectators are headed to a rink, it will be the same requirement to wear a mask.
Parents, coaches and volunteers are asked to instill in players the importance of keeping their masks on while in the dressing rooms - an area where players are in tighter quarters.
** IMPORTANT **
- at this time, the City of Saskatoon's Mask Policy requires players, coaches and officials to wear masks at all times, including while on the ice surface. SMHA is working with Saskatoon City Council at this time to investigate having this requirement removed so that masks would not be required while on the ice surface.
- The Merlis Belsher Place Mask Policy does not require the use of masks on players, coaches and officials while on the ice. Coaches must wear a mask while on the bench for games.
Specific Mask Requirements:
Players:
- must be properly wearing a mask when entering the arenas and continue wearing their mask in the dressing rooms;
-players must keep their mask on until they put their helmet on to head to the ice surface;
- players should promptly put their mask back on once they get back to their spot and remove their helmet;
- players should do their best to keep some space between themselves in the dressing rooms;
On-Ice Coaches:
- must be properly wearing a mask when entering the arenas and continue wearing their mask while in the dressing room;
- on-ice coaches must keep their mask on until they put their helmet on to head to the ice surface;
- on-ice coaches are not required to wear a mask while on the ice. They should have one on their person for any instances where they will need to be in close contact with a player or fellow coach (injury, equipment issue, etc.);
- on-ice coaches should promptly put their mask back on once they get back to their dressing room and remove their helmet;
- on-ice coaches should also do their best to keep distance between themselves and players / fellow coaches while in the dressing room ;
Bench Coaches and Bench Staff:
- must be properly wearing a mask when entering / exiting the arenas and continue properly wearing their mask at all times - including while on the bench during games;
On-Ice Officials (referees / linesmen):
- must be properly wearing a mask when entering the arenas and continue wearing their mask until they reach the referees' dressing room;
- on-Ice officials must keep their mask on until they put their helmet on to head to the ice surface;
- on-ice officials are not required to wear a mask while on the ice.
- on-ice officials are encouraged to wear their SMHA-supplied gator-style pull up mask while on the ice. The mask can be pulled up while in close contact with players and coaches. Examples - dropping the puck at face offs, conversing with coaches;
- on-ice officials should promptly put their mask back on once they get back to their dressing room and remove their helmet;
- on-ice officials should exercise physical distancing while entering and exiting arenas and while putting on their skates;
Off-Ice Officials (timekeepers / scorekeepers):
- must be properly wearing a mask when entering / exiting the arenas and continue properly wearing their mask at all times - including while working in the timekeeper's box / area;
- physical distancing should be exercised in the timekeeper's box as much as possible. E.G. - Scorekeeper may need to stand outside the box area with clipboard / game sheet.
Parents / Spectators:
- must be properly wearing a mask when entering / exiting the arenas and continue properly wearing their mask at all times;
- parents / spectators should exercise physical distancing while entering and exiting the arenas and while sitting or standing inside the arena;
NOTE: THE MASK REQUIREMENTS ARE IN EFFECT REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS
# of Spectators
SMHA recommends that families do their best to limit the # of "fans" in attendance as we move through tryouts. Two spectators per player is the recommended maximum at this time as we progress through tryouts.
Other SMHA COVID-19 Protocols for 2021-22:
- SMHA strongly recommends that all who are involved with minor hockey that are eligible to be vaccinated get fully vaccinated as soon as possible if not already.
- SMHA asks that anyone involved with minor hockey stay home if feeling ill and/or if waiting on the results of a COVID test;
- Masks should be worn by all team personnel while on the team bus;
- All zones will be required to have a COVID rep that will be responsible for keeping their zone teams aware of any COVID developments throughout the season;
- All teams will be required to have COVID rep who will be responsible for keeping the parents up to speed;
- All SMHA teams will be required to use the TeamLinkt app in 2021-22 for attendance and contact tracing;
- Players must not share water bottles, snacks, refreshments or personal items such as shower towels;
Thank you very much for your support of this requirement.
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