HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
As we enter a new year, we have a few new protocols and restrictions we need to follow as well as a few reminders. Managers will also be sending you this information to you by email.
CONTACT TRACING - JAN 3rd - There are new QR links for each arena on our website as well as on the door of the arena. You will receive an email which must be shown to the SMMHA manager at the door. You can include all members entering the facility.
Managers will be at the door to check the NEW contact screening that arenas have created. If there are parents who are willing to help on a consistent basis, please connect with your manager. On GAME DAY, managers must screen BOTH home and away teams along with their spectators. Please thank your managers for EVERYTHING they have done up until now. We need to push through one more stint until March/April!
Families - read the screening very carefully and answer appropriately. If your player has ANY symptom of sickness (even a common cold) we are encouraging you to keep them home until they are feeling better and symptom free.
VACCINE QR CODE - JAN 4th - QR code vaccinations will be scanned by ARENA STAFF and hard copy of ID will ONLY be accepted.
If you do not have a QR code OR it does not work at the door, you will not be allowed in. This includes players.
Players under 18 can have a copy of their ID and QR code on their smart phones/ipods etc…. Or carry a paper copy of the QR code.
CHANGEROOMS: All players U9 and below need to arrive at the arena fully dressed minus skates, helmets, gloves. Teams will be in 2 changerooms. For example in Bracebridge - 1&3 or 2&4 on opposite ends - therefore bench staff must have 2 deep in each changeroom to help with skates (if needed) and supervision.
**Teams must change/shower with urgency at the end of a practice or game to allow the next team into the changerooms. There will be a 30 minute buffer between games only. Practices will remain back to back.
**A reminder that cell phones or other smart devices should NEVER be used in the changeroom by bench staff, players or parents/spectators for any reason.
MASKS: They MUST be worn at all times until a helmet is on and players are on the ice.
If you have been exposed, considered a close contact, tested positive for Covid on a PCR or rapid test please follow the provincial guidelines HERE: https://news.ontario.ca/en/backgrounder/1001387/updated-eligibility-for-pcr-testing-and-case-and-contact-management-guidance-in-ontario
Our next few weeks could potentially be very challenging and we will all need to be flexible, understanding and vigilent with these new protocols. If there are concerns at any point, please connect with your manager. We will all work together to move through January as seamless as we can so the players can all enjoy the benefits that hockey provides for them.