Dear Sports Leaders:
I am writing as a follow-up to the PHO announcement from Dr. Bonnie Henry on December 2nd 2020. We have participated on a call with viaSport to get some clarification for Badminton and have some updates to share with you on the Province-Wide sport restrictions. There have been further updates to the restrictions announced in the written Order, which is accessible here, that you will want to review and communicate to your players.
The Ministry of Health reminds us that the intention of the restrictions is to minimize the number of people we interact with and reduce travel in order to significantly reduce COVID-19 transmission. As you know, travel and interactions are a key part of the sport experience, however, during this very critical time in this current pandemic, it is important all travel and interaction, including those for sport, be put on pause.
Specifically, the updates include:
- All indoor and outdoor team sports for people 19 years of age and older are suspended. The website lists several sports as examples, it is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list. All team sports must follow these restrictions.
- Indoor and outdoor sport for people under 19 years of age can continue but:
- Participants must maintain a physical distance of three metres from one another.
- Activities should be low risk of transmitting the virus (e.g. individual activities, group training that maintains physical distance)
- Games, tournaments, and competitions for teams are not allowed
- Although the sport of Badminton is not mentioned specifically on the list of suspended sports, viaSport has reminded us that the list is just an “example/sampling” of sports impacted by the new orders; that there are many other unlisted sports that must still comply with the new order – including badminton. Therefore, after lengthy discussion and consideration, Badminton BC provides the following recommendations.
Badminton related: (effective immediately) (if your local health officer has given any other recommendations, their orders will supersede any recommendations that we are providing):
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- Three or more people can be considered a group. While it is not called out the same way as team sports, we believe that adult group activities defy the intent of the Order.
- For children and youth (under 19) group activities can still occur but they must be able to maintain three metres of physical distance on the court. If that is not possible, doubles for youth should not occur either.
- No group training is allowed over 19 years of age and older
- Absolutely no gathering before or after use of the badminton courts
- Players must wear masks when off courts or going to the bathrooms. Whenever you enter an indoor premise, you must be wearing a mask.
- Home club or dedicated club is encouraged (only choose one sport facility to attend and not multiple sport facilities)
- Drop-ins are strictly disallowed
- Singles can continue
- Doubles should not be continued at this point, as doubles cannot guaranteed and maintain physical distancing of 3 metres
Still in effect:
- Travel restrictions are in place for sport; individuals should continue to stay close to home.
- No spectators are allowed at any sport activities.
As the situation and PHO orders are fluid, we are also working to update our website, post any updates and put together key messages in a timely manner. Please continue to update your COVID 19 safety protocols and return to sport guidelines. Once you have done so, please send us a copy at info@badmintonbc.com and we will post on Badminton BC’s website. Badminton BC participated on the related call with viaSport - if you are interested listening to it, here is a link to the recording.
This has been a challenging pandemic for all of us, with so many of the usual ways that we conduct our day-to-day activities suspended or significantly changed as a result of COVID-19. The PHO will continue to review the restrictions and consider how best to move forward.
As always, we appreciate your support and patience as sport leaders to reduce our interactions, help keep communities safe and healthy and lower the risk to our health care system.
Sincerely,
Daisy Lee
Executive Director | Badminton BC