Hockey Canada has issued an Information Bulletin regarding the Coronavirus.
This situation serves as a reminder that the health and safety of participants is a priority, and prevention in the hockey environment should be considered by those around the game.
The following safety recommendations should be considered at all times during hockey programming:
- pre-game fist bump with hockey gloves on, instead of shaking hands
- gloves should be worn by staff handling towels or laundry in the team environment
- towels should not be shared on the team bench
- players should not share clothing, bar soap or other personal items such as razors
The Hockey Canada Safety Program recommends the following protocol as it relates to the use of water bottles:
- Good team hygiene includes ensuring all players and staff have their own water bottles to prevent the transmission of viruses and bacteria.
- Bottles should be labelled and washed after each practice or game.
- It is further recommended that officials avoid the practice of drinking from the goaltender’s water bottle. If officials require water during a game, we suggest they have their own water bottle at the penalty bench.
- There should not be sharing of water bottles in the penalty box, as well as no sharing of towels.
- Advise players to try and not touch their own mouths or nose when in the hockey environment to reduce the chance of them passing an infection on to themselves.
- Monitor illness and injury in all teams. Parents are urged to keep their children away from the hockey environment if they are showing any signs of infectious disease or virus.
- Team members should be encouraged to self-report if they feel ill.
Good hygienic practices will help to maintain a healthy team atmosphere and ultimately assist in keeping all participants healthy.