News

Badminton BC and Badminton Canada is currently monitoring the issue of the new COVID-19 virus and its potential spread in Canada. COVID-19 is a fast-evolving situation globally, and we will update or revise our event planning as necessary. As of now, there is no basis to speculate on any postponements or cancellations.

 

However, we recognize that this is a growing concern among our community and we would like to be proactive around this matter to ensure that everyone feels safe at our upcoming tournaments. The following are suggestions of preventive measures one may take during this time.

 

GENERAL ADVICE pulled from Canada.ca

 

•   Wash your hands frequently – regular and thorough cleaning of your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds.
•   Maintain social distance - maintain at least 1 m (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone
•   Avoid touching your face 
• Practice good respiratory hygiene - This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of the tissue immediately.
•  If you are feeling unwell – please stay home and notify us if you are unable to come in to participate in an event. We have updated our regulations below to accommodate these circumstances
• If you show symptoms of illness  –  symptoms of respiratory illness such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing,  stay at home and limit your contact with others and contact local public health. 

FOR ATHLETES WHO WILL BE TRAVELLING:

1. Keep your hands clean. Frequent washing and use of hand sanitizer is recommended.
2. Use sanitizer wipes on the surfaces around your seat when flying, especially the seat tray and arm rests.
3. Do not share water bottles, drinks or cutlery
4. Consider wearing a mask while travelling
5. If you start to suffer from flu symptoms, please contact your doctor immediately.

FOR ATHLETES ATTENDING UPCOMING SANCTIONED EVENTS:

1. The tournament hosts and Badminton BC will be working in tandem to secure masks for those who would like them (ex. in the case of the upcoming BC Junior Elite tournament)
2. There will be ample hand santizer
3. Please do not share water bottles, drinks or cutlery
4. If a player is done their matches for the day, please consider returning home or going back to their hotel
5. If you are sick, please email members@badmintonbc.com if it is a BC tournament to inform us with your illness. During this time, we have updated regulations to accommodate these special circumstances:

Due to COVID-19 recent development, we will allow for the following exceptions for athletes in tournaments:

•  If you have travelled to these following country and recently returned from your trip: - China, Japan, and South Korea 

- If you can provide proof of travel document that is within 14 days, we will provide full refund to the player (as the host and BBC would like to keep other players safe as a precaution measure)

•  If you have an illness and you are able to produce a medical note before the 1 day in advance deadline (24 hours) – you can get a full refund as mentioned in point 
•  If you have missed the deadline to submit the medical note prior to the 24 hours deadline, BBC and Host will make an exception to this one time due to the current health scare. Withdrawal from an event due to a partner medical illness will receive 50% refund for that event provided they are not reassigned/ or request another partner already registered for the tournament. Withdrawal due to a medical issue, but passed the deadline submission will receive a 50% refund provided a signed physician note is received by Badminton BC staff.

FOR PARENTS ATTENDING EVENTS TO SUPPORT THEIR ATHLETES

1. If you are sick, you are strongly advised to stay home and avoid crowded places. Parents that attend tournaments while coughing or sick may be asked to leave the premise. 

We would like to emphasize that we are just taking advanced precautions towards this matter. To put things into perspective, there are still BWF events scheduled in China in February that are still being run as planned. Please follow the suggestions above and we will notify everyone should the matter escalate.

Please see this link here for Badminton Canada's official statement and FAQs.

updated 03/11/20