August 27 Memo: Thunderbirds Enhanced Mask Mandate
MEMORANDUM
AUGUST 27, 2021
TO: ALL THUNDERBIRD MEMBERS
FROM: BOARD EXECUTIVE
SUBJECT: ENHANCED MASK MANDATE
Vancouver Thunderbirds has been and will continue to monitor current Covid 19 conditions. We will follow all recommendations and guidelines from our governing bodies, Hockey Canada, BC Hockey, PCAHA, as well as directives from the Provincial Health Office and via Sport. It is our highest priority to provide a safe environment for our members especially with the more transmissible, Delta variant that is currently in our community.
Therefore, effective Saturday, August 28 until further notice, Thunderbird events will require all participants to wear a mask upon entry into the facility, while moving throughout the building, and in the dressing rooms. Masks will NOT be required on the field of play at this time.
Players: All players in U6 to U21 will be required to wear a mask in all of our rinks. If a player is unable to wear a mask for any reason, they will not be permitted into the dressing room and, as an alternative, can enter the building fully dressed (including helmet) 5 minutes prior to their ice time.
Spectators: All spectators will be required to wear a mask while attending a Thunderbird indoor event. It is strongly recommended that physical distancing occurs within the facility.
Team staff/on-ice instructors: All team staff will be required to wear a mask while attending a Thunderbird indoor event. Coaches are able to remove their mask when on the field of play but must have one available should they need to engage closely with other participants (coaches or players) or if they need to assist with an injured player. During games, team staff on the bench are required to wear a mask at all times.
This is a Thunderbird-wide mask mandate across all venues separate from any venue specific protocols and supersedes any that are less restrictive.
In addition, we are expecting an update from viaSport and BC Hockey with respect to vaccination requirements for access to public indoor spaces and the implications for youth sport. We will provide further information on all required Covid protocols as we are updated from our governing bodies.
We are excited to have the players back on the ice for practices and games. We need everyone pulling together to deliver a great hockey experience for our players. These protocols will assist in keeping our players safe and on the ice playing hockey. Thank you for your patience and understanding with current and future protocols.