COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS AND PROTOCOL
The LMHA Board is working hard behind the scenes to decipher the current public health order towards vaccination requirements and communicate arena vaccination protocols. As we wait for clarity from our governing body (viaSport and BC Hockey) below is what we currently know. Please be patient as in these ever-changing times, guidelines can adjust rapidly. We will continue to work to balance keeping our players on the ice with the safety of our members. We have launched a page on our website dedicated to arena requirements that you can check often to remind you of the different rink rules. Please also pass the link to this webpage on to visiting teams so they are aware of the facility protocol.
BC THRIVE SELF-ASSESSMENTS
This season there are no TeamSnap Health Check requirements.
The BC Thrive self-assessments are the only requirements for health checks at this time. Follow this check if you have ANY symptoms. Please do not come to the rink if you are unwell or experiencing symptoms until such time as your symptoms are gone. Email your team manager or division manager to let them know. Follow the process on BC Thrive if you have screened positive for COVID-19 and alert your Division Manager.
MANDATORY MASK ORDER
As required by the PHO, masks are required for ALL indoor spaces for everyone five (5) and over with the exception of coaches and players when they are on the ice (in the “field of play”). LMHA strongly recommends that spectators under five (5) also wear masks when entering / exiting facilities and when not in the “field of play”.
Mandatory mask order – All Bench Staff are required to wear a mask while on the bench as well as in the facilities. The mask exemption is only applicable while you are on the ice.
Players five (5) and over need to wear their masks until they put on their helmet. Masks are to be put back on once the helmet comes off. Stating that you have a medical exemption is not enough. Anyone with an exemption MUST provide the riskmanager@langleyminorhockey.ca with a doctor’s note for review, including the alternative options to control the spread of COVID-19 provided to you by your physician.
CURRENT FACILITY PROTOCOL AND VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS
If you have any questions regarding the vaccine screening protocol, please contact our Communicable Disease Liaison. His name is Nick Cosco, and he can be reached via email: communicabledisease@langleyminorhockey.ca
- All players twenty-one (21) and under are currently exempt from vaccination proof while attending the arena for the purpose of a practice or game however please see below as there are variances to the new PHO depending on the facility. Spectators who are nineteen (19) and older are also required to present photo ID with their vaccine passport.
- As of October 26th, 2021, all spectators over the age of twelve (12) are required to present their vaccine passport at all facilities including while attending both games and practices.
- Team Officials are now required to be fully vaccinated in order to be eligible to participate as supervisors of youth sports.
Langley Sportsplex – SPX (20165 91A Avenue)
- The number of spectators per ice sheet MUST remain under one hundred and fifty (150) at all times.
- Spectators twelve (12) and older are required to present their vaccine passport to the Home Team vaccination screener. This LMHA volunteer will be located at the entrance to the sheet of ice (not the entrance to the building).
- Team Officials must be fully vaccinated in order to be eligible to participate.
- If we do not comply with this protocol, it is highly likely that restrictions will be increased. Langley Sportsplex will be performing vaccine screening spot-checks and if at any time, spectators are found to be in non-compliance, the building staff reserves the right to request that the spectator(s) leave the arena.
George Preston Recreation Centre – GPRC (20699 42nd Avenue)
- Players are not required to show proof of vaccination for GAMES OR PRACTICES.
- Vaccination proof is required for all spectators twelve (12) and up attending GAMES AND PRACTICES. Those nineteen (19) years and above will also be asked to show photo ID.
- Home Teams are responsible for supplying one volunteer from their team to stand at the door and check for vaccine passports / photo ID when applicable. This person must remain close to the door for the duration of the game and watch for spectators entering after game time.
- Team Officials must be fully vaccinated in order to be eligible to participate.
- Rink is at full capacity.
Langley Twin Rinks | Canlan Ice Sports (5700 Langley Bypass)
- Zone control attendants (Canlan staff) will be asking for players over twenty-one (21) years of age to provide proof of vaccination as per the PHO requirements. This includes photo ID.
- As of October 26th, 2021, proof of double vaccination (2 doses) applies to spectators who are twelve (12) and older, coaches and volunteers. In addition, anyone over twelve (12) years of age that would like to go upstairs to use the restaurant must provide vaccination proof.
- Team Officials must be fully vaccinated in order to be eligible to participate.
- Rink is at full capacity.
Langley Events Centre – LEC (7888 - 200th Street)
- Players twenty-one (21) and under are not required to show proof of vaccination for PRACTICE OR GAMES.
- Vaccination proof is required for all spectators twelve (12) and up attending GAMES AND PRACTICES. Those nineteen (19) years and above will also be asked to show photo ID.
- Home Teams are responsible for supplying one volunteer from their team to stand at the door and check for vaccine passports / photo ID when applicable. This person must remain close to the door for the duration of the game and watch for spectators entering after game time.
- Team Officials must be fully vaccinated in order to be eligible to participate.
- Rink is at full capacity.
National Hockey Training Centre –NHTC (20740 Mufford Crescent)
- Players twenty-one (21) and under are not required to show proof of vaccination for PRACTICE OR GAMES.
- Vaccination proof is required for all spectators twelve (12) and up attending GAMES AND PRACTICES. Those nineteen (19) years and above will also be asked to show photo ID.
- At this time, spectators are limited to one (1) parent or guardian in the arena due to the size of the facility. Thank you for your cooperation.
- Home Teams are responsible for supplying one volunteer from their team to stand at the front entrance before the stairs and check for vaccine passports / photo ID when applicable. This person must remain close to the door for the duration of the game and watch for spectators entering after game time.
- Team Officials must be fully vaccinated in order to be eligible to participate.
- All spectators must watch from upstairs.
FACILITY USE AND COMPLIANCE
Please be aware that facilities can impose their own rules and LMHA must comply. Please do not argue any restrictions with arena staff or an LMHA Team Manager / HCSP / Board Member.
In the interest of keeping the number of spectators under the maximum occupancy during and in between events, spectators are not permitted to enter the facility until five (5) minutes prior to the practice / game and must leave the building immediately after the practice / game is over. Spectators are not permitted to loiter in the arena lobbies and must meet their player in the parking lot.
If you have a grievance with any given situation, please bring this to the attention of LMHA through the proper channels. Failure to follow rink protocols, our Parent Code-of-Conduct, Player Code-of-Conduct, and the Covid-19 Waiver, all signed upon registration, will force LMHA to apply our discipline policy protocols. This can include suspensions. Failure for any LMHA member to comply with arena requirements could result in our entire ice contract being cancelled thus affecting our ability to play hockey this season. For this reason, LMHA has a zero-tolerance policy for non-compliance.
Please keep checking our website for updates to arena restrictions for members, home teams, and visiting teams. Managers and Coaches, please make sure the visiting teams have this information.
Thanks for your patience as we roll-out the season.
Todd Mclaren
VP of Human Resources and Risk Management
More information will be forthcoming as we transition from a COVID-19 plan to a Communicable Disease plan.
RETURN-TO-PLAY RESOURCES
Hockey Canada - "The health and safety of everyone involved in the game will determine when we return, not our desire to get back on the ice. When our country is ready, Hockey Canada will be ready. Until then, continue to follow the guidelines set by your provincial and territorial government to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Only by working together will we be able to make a difference and safely return".
For an overview including Safety & Protocols, Regulations, Seasonal Structure, and regular updates, please visit:
Amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic, BC Hockey along with health authorities, Hockey Canada and member Associations will be providing updates on return to play parameters as they become available. Click below to view their latest resource documents:
LMHA attends weekly calls with other Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Associations to remain up-to-date on the latest return-to-play plans for the 2020/21 Season. The timeline for returning to game play is dependent on the current situation and protocol outlined by the Provincial Health Authority and all other governing bodies.
IMPORTANT - viaSport Return to Sport Guidelines for Phase 3 NOW Available HERE