Return To Hockey, HPEI Phase 4 Guidelines

Today, the modified 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗧𝗼 𝗛𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘆 Phase 4 Plan comes into effect.
Some important guidelines in order to Return to Hockey and to keep us all safe.

 
⚠️ MASKS:
With the exception of Players & Officials on the ice surface (and coaches during practice), masks must be worn by Hockey PEI members, including:
🚪 Entering and exiting the facility
👥 Spectators
🏒 In dressing rooms by players (until they are putting helmets on to go onto the ice) and bench staff.
👔 Bench staff on the bench
🦓 On-ice officials in dressing rooms
📟 Off-ice officials
*When applying mask in dressing room post-game or practice: first wash/sanitize hands and wash face with a clean cloth before applying.
*Recognizing that there are some instances in which masks cannot be worn, exemptions may be made by the Minor Hockey Associations or Hockey PEI when accompanied by a physician’s note.

⚠️ ON-ICE COHORT:
The on-ice cohort is a maximum of 50 individuals.
Games will be restricted to the following number of participants:
📟 1 off-ice official (timekeeper/scorekeeper)
👨‍⚕️1 trainer (to be provided by the home team
🦓 4 on-ice officials (3 where required)
👥 22 maximum participants per team (combination of players and coaches, e.g. 18 players & 4 coaches, 20 players & 2 coaches, etc.)
*If there are exceptional circumstances, Hockey PEI must provide pre-approval.
🚫🤝 No handshakes pre or post-game.
 
⚠️ GAMEPLAY RULES:
👉 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗺𝘀 & 𝗔𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Physical distancing after the whistle is of the utmost importance. Players are expected to immediately separate and distance themselves in between whistles.
❌ There will be zero tolerance for face-washing. This will immediately result in a double-minor for head contact.
⚠️ Officials are being encouraged to utilize their whistles to stop play earlier and prevent unnecessary scrums or altercations.
⚠️ Penalties will be assessed to players causing scrums or altercations or those who are not abiding by whistles or instructions to leave the area.
❌ No fighting at any level.
👉 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴:
❌ No spitting is permitted at any time.
⚠️ If a team is warned multiple times about spitting, officials will assess an Unsportsmanlike Conduct minor penalty Rule 9.2(a).
👉 𝗕𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁:
✅Regular body contact during game play is allowed where allowed under Hockey Canada and Hockey PEI Rules and Regulations; however, players must physical distance immediately after the completion of a play.
✅ Players are encouraged to prevent unnecessary contact or collisions where possible.
👉 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀: Physical distancing must be maintained where possible. While during game play it may be unavoidable to sit within proximity of one another, there are some measures around benches that need to be taken:
❌ No team cheers
❌ No team huddling around the benches
⚠️Officials will be encouraged to start play quickly between period to avoid any congregating around benches
⚠️All players must have their own water bottles and those bottle are to be clearly identified.
 
⚠️ SPECTATORS:
Please see our Guidance re: Spectators and Gatherings and the CPHO’s New Normal: Multiple Gatherings - both of which can be found in our RTH Plan.
😷 Spectators will be required to wear masks while attending any Hockey PEI activities.
👥 Hockey PEI fully encourages facilities hosting spectators where safe to do so. Hockey PEI does not have authority over facility operational plans and cannot guarantee that all facilities will allow spectators; however, Minor Hockey Associations have been and will continue to be encouraged to work with facilities in hosting multiple gatherings, so that spectators can attend Hockey PEI activities.
 
⚠️ PARTICIPANT TRACKING:
All players, coaches, officials and spectators must be tracked and that information must be stored for 30 days for the purposes of potential contact tracing.
👥 Those participating or attending a Hockey PEI activity are required to pre-screen prior to arriving at the activity; by attending, that participant is acknowledging that they pass the screening requirements. The pre-screening requirements will be frequently communicated to ensure individuals understand when they may not be permitted to attend.
📝 It will be the responsibility of the Team Liaison to ensure all participants associated with their team (parents and spectators included) are tracked appropriately.
🤒 STAY AT HOME IF YOU DO NOT FEEL WELL OR HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO SELF-ISOLATE BY PUBLIC HEALTH. 
 
⚠️ PROPER COVID HYGIENE:
Hand sanitizer must be available to members in dressing rooms, on the bench, and in the penalty boxes. If the facility does not provide sanitizer in these areas, it shall be the team’s responsibility.
Throughout all Hockey PEI activities, our members must practice proper COVID hygiene. This means when entering the facility and dressing rooms, all members must sanitize their hands.
🧼 Wash hands often
🧼 Wash hands & face immediately after games/practices before putting mask back on.
 
⚠️ PHYSICAL DISTANCING:
 Despite our return to regular games, physical distancing must be adhered to at all times. This includes: Fans in the stands, participants, volunteers, etc.
 
⚠️ NO YELLING:
As much as we love to cheer on our Hockey players, in order to help lower the risk of transmission of COVID-19, we ask that you please refrain from yelling in the facility. *However, we do encourage clapping as an alternative method of cheering 👏😎