PAGE 10 THE SHORELINE JOURNAL - OCTOBER, 2020 Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL) return to the ice Tid-Bits Truro, N.S. (September 18, tained. Several exhibition games are 2020) – For the first time since • A mask is required when currently planned through to Continued from page 7 the 2019-20 season was abruptly getting up from a seat to the start of the 2020-21 regular Improvements to be Made in Long-Term Care cut short due to the outbreak of use the washroom. season on October 30th. The Health Minister Randy Delorey announced September 21 the COVID-19 pandemic in mid- • Hand sanitizer stations have schedule will be updated at government is preparing for future cases of COVID-19 with rec- March, teams in the Maritime been installed throughout themhl.ca as they are con- ommendations from two reviews of outbreaks in long-term care Junior Hockey League (MHL) are the Civic Center and their firmed. facilities. Infectious disease consultant Dr. Chris Lata of Nova preparing to return to the ice. Teams will communicate in- The 2020-21 exhibition season use is encouraged. formation regarding their rinks Scotia and former British Columbia associate deputy minister began Sunday, September 20th • Tickets must be purchased ahead of time. The MHL and its of health Dr. Lynn Stevenson conducted a review of the COVID- in Campbellton as the Tigers in advance at the ticket of- teams ask for patience from fans 19 outbreak at Northwood’s Halifax campus. hosted the at fice. Tickets will not be sold as preparations continue for the Some of their key recommendations include: Improving in- 3 p.m. online. The ticket office will • The main doors at the front return of hockey to each of the fection prevention and control within the existing architecture were suc- close an hour and a half of the building will be the league’s twelve markets. The at Northwood; reviewing and updating pandemic plans; creat- cessful in the exhibition match, prior to game start. only entrance. Maintain MHL thanks officials at various ing a mobile infection prevention and control resource to sup- outscoring the Rapids 6-4 with • To follow COVID-19 contact physical distancing, enter, levels of government and nu- port facilities facing outbreaks; addressing staffing challenges 442 fans in attendance. tracing guidelines, names and and go directly to your seat. merous stakeholders around the with more employees for housekeeping, resident care, screen- Some of the rules and regula- contact information for every- No one will be allowed to Maritime provinces for the ing and visits, and a human resources plan for the sector and tions for Sunday’s game in- one tickets are being pur- stand or gather to chat on progress made so far and looks clarifying roles and responsibilities within the Department of cluded: chased for must be provided. the walking track or any forward to continuing the con- Health and Wellness and the Nova Scotia Health Authority, re- • A mask must be worn at all • Doors of the Campbellton other areas. versations in the weeks ahead. structuring their disaster response teams and improving com- times in the building until Civic Center would only be Media Contact: munication you’re sitting in your seat. open 10 minutes prior to On Friday, September 25, James Faulkner The Department of Health and Wellness will work with its The mask can be removed the start of the warm-up Campbellton defeated Grand Director of Communications partners to take immediate action to make improvements, in- as long as two-metre physi- (2:20 for a 3 p.m. game, Falls again, 4-3 in front of a Maritime Hockey League cluding: ensuring existing long-term care rooms have no more cal distancing is main- 6:20 for a 7 p.m. game, etc). crowd of 571. [email protected] than two residents each. Since 2007, new facilities are built with single rooms and private bathrooms; establishing one mobile infection prevention and control response team in every zone Hockey Fall Events, and 2020 World Jr A Challenge, cancelled to support facilities facing outbreaks, as well as an infection pre- vention and control resource person per zone dedicated to September 4, 2020 “At various rates, provinces long-term care CALGARY, Alta. – Following from coast-to-coast-to-coast have — ensuring there are processes in place for long-term care the cancellation of the 2019-20 started moving ahead with their staff to get tested and return to work as quickly as possible; hockey season and all national phased re-opening, but as it has funding for all facilities to increase cleaning (staff and supplies); championships in March, been since the season was can- Hockey Canada has worked tire- celled, Hockey Canada’s priority funding for small capital projects and equipment purchases to lessly with its host organizing remains the health and safety of support infection and prevention control in long-term care fa- committees for 2020 and be- all participants and the general cilities, such as lock boxes and carts for medications, hand-san- yond. public. We believe the decision itizing stations, personal protective equipment (PPE) carts and While a tremendous amount to cancel these three events is room dividers and funding for staff who can be deployed as of work has gone into planning the safest decision given the on- needed to manage outbreaks. the fall 2020 events, the ongoing going uncertainty of the pan- coronavirus (COVID-19) pan- demic at the local level, as well Gathering Limits for Participants in Performing Arts, Sports to Increase demic has created a position as the international implications Government is increasing the allowable numbers for partic- where there is no further option associated with these events. ipants in performing arts, sport and organized physical activity. other than to cancel three Hockey Canada is grateful for Effective Oct. 1, the number of people who can participate in events, instead planning for their the continued support of our one of these activities without physical distancing will increase return in 2021 to the following local host committees and event from 10 to 50. For most sports, this will allow full team practices communities: partners, including BC Hockey, and competition to resume, while for the performing arts, this • 2020 World Junior A Chal- Hockey Nova Scotia, Hockey lenge, Dec. 13-20 in Corn- Eastern Ontario, NHL Central will allow for larger rehearsals and performances. This change Scouting, the Canadian Junior also applies to recreational league sports, like adult hockey, and wall, Ont. • 2020 National Women’s Hockey League (CJHL) and the drop-in activities, like open swims and skates. Unorganized or Central Canada Hockey League casual games, like pickup or soccer in the park, must Under-18 Championship, Nov. 2-8 in Dawson Creek, (CCHL). We appreciate the com- adhere to existing gathering rules of small groups of 10 without mitment and support of every- physical distancing within a maximum of 50 with physical dis- B.C. one involved and we look tancing. • 2020 Canadian Tire Para forward to showcasing some in- The gathering limit of 50 without physical distancing in- Hockey Cup, Dec. 6-12 in credible hockey to fans next cludes: players/participants, officials, coaches, instructors or Bridgewater, N.S. year.” anyone else who is required to be on or near the field of play For further information: and performers, directors, cast, crew or anyone else required to The following statement is Esther Madziya on behalf of Hockey Canada Manager, Communications be within the performance space. from Tom Renney, chief execu- The limit of 50 applies to practices, competitions, games, re- tive officer, and Scott Smith, Hockey Canada hearsals and artistic performances. While mask use is not re- president and chief operating of- 403.519.5754 quired while doing physical activity, wearing masks and ficer: [email protected] maintaining distance as much as possible continues to be en- couraged for these activities. The gathering limits for day camps and after school pro- grams remains at 15; for events and performances is 250 outside with physical distancing and 50 per cent of a facility’s capacity and up to 200 inside, with physical distancing and mandatory masks for spectators. continued on page 11 PERCY SMITH MHL Moves START to October 30 USED CARS Truro, N.S. (September 1, chises. Quality Used Vehicles 2020) – The Maritime Junior “The return of fans is critical Hockey League (MHL) has an- to the success and continued this summer and has been well nounced plans for a full 52-game FINANCING AVAILABLE nounced that the start of the health of the Maritime Hockey received. It outlines the steps season. With the modified start visit: percysmithauto.com 2020-21 regular season will be League and its teams,” says Pres- that will be taken to ensure the date, the Board voted for a 44- moved from October 2nd to Oc- ident Steve Dykeman. “We’re safety and well-being of players, game schedule that runs Valley • 902-895-8453 tober 30th. The decision was confident that this extra time fans, and staff during these un- through the end of March. Fur- made during a recent meeting of will allow for continued produc- precedented times. The MHL ther details on the schedule will Call Percy Smith the Board of Governors in Monc- tive discussions to lead to the re- will continue to communicate be released at a later date. 902-899-7933 ton due to the ongoing COVID- turn of our exciting brand of with the Canadian Junior Media Contact: James 19 pandemic, as well as hockey throughout the region.” Hockey League (CJHL), Hockey Faulkner Director of or questions surrounding atten- The MHL’s Return to Play Canada, various levels of govern- Communications Maritime Louie Smith dance and a normal return to Plan was submitted to health au- ment, and other stakeholders. Hockey League play for the league’s twelve fran- thorities and other stakeholders In July, the MHL had an- 902-890-6140