BCLA & PROVINCE-WIDE RESTRICTIONS

Dear BCLA Members:

This message is a follow up to BC Lacrosse Association’s (BCLA) November 24, 2020 President’s Message regarding Lacrosse activity updates and the latest BC Health Authority and Dr. Bonnie Henry’s announcement on December 2, 2020. The BCLA will continue to update our members as we receive new information.

The BCLA has further updates to report and how it relates to BCLA Lacrosse activities. We attended a viaSport conference call today (Dec. 3) and received further clarification regarding the latest restrictions announced December 2, 2020.

By order of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), restrictions are in place for adult and youth indoor and outdoor sports. These temporary restrictions are in place to limit the amount of physical interactions and travel to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. The official written Order from the PHO was released today, December 3, 2020.

Read the Provincial Health Officer new Order:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/covid-19/covid-19-pho-order-gatherings-events.pdf

Read the province-wide restrictions by order and direction of the PHO (updated December 3):
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions#athletics

The December 3, 2020 PHO new Order and its application to BCLA Lacrosse activities in the Province of BC, with the following restrictions, are as follows:

NEW – As per the PHO restrictions-
All organized indoor and outdoor sports for people under 19 years of age must follow viaSport’s Return to Sport Phase 2 guidance with respect to maintaining physical distance for participants. https://www.viasport.ca/sites/default/files/SPORTACTIVITYCHART.pdf
Participants must maintain a 3 meter physical distance at all times.
Games, tournaments and competitions are temporarily suspended for teams.
Individual drills and modified training activities can continue.
Amateur sports organizations and leagues may implement additional guidelines to ensure the health and safety of participants.
Lacrosse activities (practices) CAN occur as per the BCLA Return to Lacrosse Phase 1 Guidelines reverting back to Skills & Drills training ONLY, while maintaining a 3 meter physical distance.
Still in effect -
The new Order is in effect immediately and applies province-wide.
No spectators are allowed at any sport activities. The only people allowed to attend sport activities are those that provide care to a participant or player. (For example: coaches, team manager, and safety persons CAN attend).
Individual athletes, coaches, trainers, and managers who live in one city/community, CAN attend lacrosse activities in other cities/communities.
Team travel is prohibited and must be limited to stay within each city/community. Team travel to, from, and between cities/communities CANNOT occur. Team location is based on the team’s association/club location in which the team is registered.

This is how sport, and the BCLA must proceed under the new restrictions in the foreseeable future until sport is directed otherwise.

The BC Government and PHO continue updating information as it relates to COVID-19. The BCLA will provide updates and information as we learn more.

If you have any additional questions, please e-mail me at gerry@bclacrosse.com

Yours in Lacrosse,

Gerry Van Beek
BCLA President