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Official Notice from BBC on PHO updates

November 11, 2020: Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley restrictions PHO Order

We at Badminton BC would like to send you a formal update on the situation of PHO order and keeping ourselves and our community safe.

The order and direction of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) about Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley restrictions is now final and posted on the Province's website.  Since Dr. Henry’s press conference relating to the Order on Saturday, November 7, 2020 we have been working closely with the Province on the Order’s development.
Thank you for your patience and leadership as we navigate the many gray areas together.
 
 The Order and what it means to sport:
 
The Order States:
“No person or municipality may provide or host and no person may participate in an indoor sport unless the sport involves no physical contact between the participants.”

 

Clarification:

  • Indoor sports can only conduct physical distanced activities. As we mentioned yesterday, this does not mean all indoor sports are in Phase 2. Some Phase 3 activities may be possible as long as physical distance can be maintained along with other safety measures that we have implemented in the return to sport guidelines (e.g., increased cleaning protocols).
  • From Badminton BC point of view – if you decided to stay open, please send us your updated COVID 19 Safety Plan and let BBC to review them. We highly suggested that your plan include all safety measures such as:
    • Pertaining games to Singles
    • Ensure there is no different household on the same side of court
    • Ensure signage is posted with information on COVID 19 symptoms
    • Contact Tracing Procedures
    • No Spectators are allow
    • And ensuring social distancing rule is being enforced at all times.

 

Health inspectors would enter the premises at anytime and inspect the gatherings. The government is trying to keep us safe; therefore we Badminton BC and all Sports Leaders need to all do our parts to ensure this PHO order is being followed, keeping our players safe and help to flatten the curve.

 
The Order States:
“No person may attend as a spectator at an indoor sport activity unless this is necessary to provide care to a participant.”
 
Clarification:

  • We understand that “unless necessary to provide care to a participant” can be interpreted many ways. We are working with public health department to provide more clarity.

 
The Order States:
“No person may travel to or from the affected area or between the regions of the Fraser Health Authority and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority for any sport related activity, including practice, training, games or tournaments, unless they are an identified by Canadian Sports Institute Pacific as a high performance athlete affiliated with an accredited provincial or national sports organization and are already training in the affected area and subject to the safety guidelines of their provincial sports organization.”
 
Clarification:

  • My message yesterday indicated that travel for practices was possible, however the Order now clearly states that travel is not permitted for these or any sport activities. However, high performance athletes and their coaches are permitted to travel to and from and between the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal Health regions. High performance athletes are individuals that have been identified to a targeted athlete list with Canadian Sport Institute Pacific by their PSO or NSO.

 
The Order States:
“No person or municipality may provide or host and no person may participate in a group indoor fitness activity until guidelines for group indoor fitness activities have been approved by the provincial health officer and the person or municipality who provides or hosts the activity has submitted an updated safety plan in accordance with those guidelines with respect to the activity to the Medical Health Officer and the safety plan has been approved. Once a safety plan has been approved, it must be posted in a place easily visible to participants.”
 
What it means:

  • Group indoor fitness activities (e.g., dance, spin, etc.) will need to have an approved plan before they are able to reopen and operate again. This Order is NOT required for sport. We understand that some sport organizations have been receiving conflicting information directly from health officials, but now that the Order is available we will work with health agencies to improve the interpretations and communication.

 

 We know there will be more questions arising as you develop and refine your sport-specific guidance based on the details of the new Order. We ask that you continue to work with us at Badminton BC so we can strengthen our collective voices, escalate your concerns and questions, and share a unified amateur sport message to our communities. The FAQ  here is an additional resource for you and is continually being updated as we continue to receive clarity on the Order and respond to your questions.
 
Badminton BC will continue to work with the Club Leaders and Public Health to provide updates based on further direction and/or any new information that may arise. We are also here to support you as you develop your plans and communications.
 
Sincerely,

Daisy Lee – Executive Director | Badminton BC

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