On October 19, 2020, Halton Region's Medical Officer of Health issued a letter to all Halton residents (
https://www.halton.ca/getmedia/c73404ed-11a6-43c8-a696-7cb46a317303/Letter-to-Halton_Dr-Meghani.aspx) formally recommending that team sports be limited to training only, with proper physical distancing between players and no scrimmages or games. As well, public health is now requiring all players or unmasked staff who participate in a game or practice to self-isolate if any of the other players subsequently tests positive for COVID-19 and the players and staff did not keep 2 m apart from each other at all times.
The OWHA has made it clear that all associations, teams, staff, and players must follow public health recommendations or risk sanctions. It is therefore essential that all Twisters teams, staff, and players comply with these public health recommendations.
Accordingly, effective immediately:
1. No Twisters team shall engage in any games or scrimmages, including games or scrimmages held on private ice.
2. All players and staff who are not wearing masks shall stay at least 2 m from each other at all times when participating in Twisters activities. This includes when entering or exiting facilities, entering or exiting the ice, sitting on benches, lining up for drills, and during drills.
3. No Twisters activity shall be held outside of the Halton public health unit.
4. No Twisters staff or player shall post any photo on social media that shows Twisters staff or players within 2 m of each other, even if they are wearing masks.
We know these rules may be challenging but following them is essential to allow our players to continue skating and to reduce the risk of them being required to self-isolate if anyone does develop COVID-19 after a practice (of course, anyone who has symptoms or has been tested for COVID-19 must stay home in accordance with our COVID-19 protocols). Anyone who deliberately fails to follow these rules will be subject to discipline.
If you have questions about these new requirements, please email us at [email protected].
Kevin Salmon
President, NHGHA
Pete Trivino
VP1, NHGHA
Josh Hunter
VP2, NHGHA