Potomac Valley Amateur Hockey Association

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has issued an amended order that effective June 12, 2020 the Northern Virginia Region and the City of Richmond shall enter Phase 2 of Reopening. https://www.governor.virginia.gov/executive-actions/  Governor Northam had previously issued an order allowing other areas of Virginia to enter Phase 2 of Reopening effective June 5, 2020.  Under these Orders we may begin to see ice rinks reopening to the hockey and figure skating communities for limited ice sessions. Decisions on reopening will be made on an individual basis by our Virginia ice skating facilities. General public admission to ice rinks (ie public skating) is not yet allowed. Ice Rinks in Maryland remain closed as of this date.

For Virginia ice rinks and local associations there are specific Guidelines and Requirements that must be followed as they seek to reopen for skating activities.  Some of those Guidelines and Restrictions for Recreational Sports activities include:

• Ten feet of physical distance must be maintained by all instructors, participants and organizers of recreational sports activities.
• Competition that involves close contact with other athletes must be avoided.
• The total number of attendees for indoor recreational sports cannot exceed the lesser of 30% of the lowest occupancy load on the certificate of occupancy or 50 persons.  For ice rinks we will be dealing with a maximum of 50 people.
• For indoor recreational sports, spectators may not be present except for parents, guardians or caretakers who are supervising children.  Because parents count against the 50 people maximum it is anticipated that some ice rinks will ask that parents remain outside of the building.

Other Guidelines included in the Virginia Phase 2 Guidelines for all Business Sectors that will apply are set out at: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/governor-of-virginia/pdf/Virginia-Forward-Phase-Two-Guidelines.pdf

• Signage should be posted at the ice rink regarding physical distancing and the requirement that participants and others should stay home if they are sick
• Conduct daily screening of coaches, officials, staff and players for COVID 19 symptoms prior to admission to the facility.

Facemasks will be required of participants, coaches and any parents when not on the ice.  Also, participants in any hockey activity should wash their hands regularly and not share any water bottles. It is likely that ice rinks will limit locker room use and require participants to leave the facility once their ice time has finished.

The information provided by PVAHA in this announcement is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The knowledge and circumstances around COVID-19 are changing constantly, and area ice rinks, associations, parents and participants are encouraged to follow up with their local Public Health Department or their physician for specific questions regarding return to any hockey activities.

Resources

CDC Guidelines on Considerations for Youth Sports  May 20, 2020

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/youth-sports.html

Returning to the Rinks – USA Hockey, US Figure Skating & US Rinks May 4, 2020

https://cdn4.sportngin.com/attachments/document/d8b1-2158869/Returning_to_the_RInks_05-05-2020_1_.pdf#_ga=2.268165388.306927335.1590168691-2090097922.1578931230

USA Hockey Roundtable video on Returning to Hockey  May 22, 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bItaPawRgeM&feature=youtu.be

Early Return to the Rinks Practice Plans & Activities

https://cdn2.sportngin.com/attachments/document/5da9-2178463/Early_Return_On-Ice_Activity_Samples.pdf#_ga=2.223920795.1229807221.1591825163-2090097922.1578931230

USA Hockey Facemask Guidelines

https://cdn4.sportngin.com/attachments/document/a86d-2166147/FullShield.FaceMasks.COVID19.May26.2020.pdf#_ga=2.2328112.1229807221.1591825163-2090097922.1578931230