CDMFA COVID-19 Statement (Update March 14th, 2020)
CDMFA COVID-19 Statement (Update March 14th, 2020)
Alberta Health Services - (Update March 13th, 2020 - Complete Recommendations for Mass Gatherings)
COVID-19 INFORMATION
Alberta Recommendation for Mass Gatherings
DEFINITION: For the purposes of this document, a mass gathering is any event or assembling that brings together people in a single room or single space at the same time, such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, cafeteria, theater, or any other confined indoor or confined outdoor space.
For the purposes of this document, mass gatherings do not include normal operations at airports, schools, places of worship, shopping malls, recreation centers, typical office environments or retail or grocery stores or other spaces people may be moving or walking about as part of normal activities of daily living.
Mass Gatherings with more than 250 people should be cancelled.
Mass Gatherings with less than 250 people but more than 50 should be assessed by the event hosts/ organizers/planners and cancelled if they meet any of the following criteria:
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event includes any number of attendees coming from countries outside of Canada
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event has, as its focus, attendees that are members of critical infrastructure or critical service roles (e.g. healthcare workers, first responders, electric/power workers, telecommunications)
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event includes attendees from demographic groups at greater risk of severe disease, such as people 60 years of age and older and individuals with chronic medical conditions
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will attendees be participating in activities that promote transmission(e.g. singing, cheering, close physical contact such as when participating in contact sports, sharing food or beverages, buffet style meals)
If the event does not meet any of the above criteria and the event will proceed, event hosts/organizers/planners shall follow the general risk mitigation strategies listed in the green box below.
All events of 50 people or less and all events that are proceeding because they do not meet the criteria in the yellow box above shall follow these general risk mitigation strategies:
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Clarify that individuals who are sick with a fever or cough should not attend (even if symptoms appear to be mild or resembling a cold);
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Recommend that anyone at high-risk of severe disease not attend the event;
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Reduce the number of participants or change the venue to prevent crowding;
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Stagger the time of arrivals and departures;
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Provide packaged refreshments instead of a buffet;
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Increase access to handwashing stations;
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Frequently clean surfaces that are touched often;
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Promote personal protective practices (hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, staying home if ill);
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Offer virtual or live-streamed activities instead of in-person events; and
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Change the event program to remove activities that increase the risk of disease transmission such as those that require physical contact between participants.
Football Alberta COVID-19 Statement (as of March 13, 2020)
At this time, the Public Health Agency of Canada continues to assess the public health risk associated with COVID-19 as low to the general population but that rating is subject to very rapid change. There is an increased risk of more severe outcomes for Canadians 65 years of age or older, and those with compromised immune systems or underlying medical conditions.
More detailed information regarding COVID-19 is available here:
Alberta Public Health officials continue to reassess the national and provincial public health risk, based on the best available information as the situation evolves. Currently they have put a ban on gatherings of 250 or more and that will affect Football Alberta’s programing.
As well, Football Canada continues to monitor the public health situation regarding COVID-19 and their national programs, especially those coming up this summer. Football Canada strongly recommends that participants, coaches, event organizers, and administrators carefully review the joint message of the Sport Medicine Advisory Committee comprised of the Chief Medical Officers from the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian ParaOlympic Committee, and the Canadian Olympic & ParaOlympic Sport Institute Network.
With that being said, Football Alberta will be cancelling any upcoming sanctioned Coaching Clinics as well as the 2020 Senior Bowl High School All-Star Game. All currently registered participants in those programs will be receiving a full refund by the end of March.
All other programming such as selection camps for the U18/U17 Boys and U19 Provincial Teams, the U16/Alberta Summer Games and all 6-Man All-Star events will be paused until such time as the Public Health Authorities deem it acceptable for their operation. All currently registered participants in these programs will receive direct communication from the Football Alberta office regarding future planning and mitigation of any risk regarding COVID-19.
At this time Football Alberta highly recommends suspension of practice or play of any football activity until further notice given the severity of this pandemic.
However, if you choose to continue operation we suggest:
- Do not create situation where the gathering will be over 250 (especially with spectators) and involve vulnerable populations as listed above.
- No community water bottles or sharing of water bottles
- No shaking hands after games
- Monitor and follow provincial restrictions surrounding group gatherings
- Re-enforce washing of hands.
- Instruct athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, trainers, equipment managers and anyone else associated with the program to stay home if feeling ill.
The health and well-being of our football community, especially our most vulnerable to this pandemic, is our absolute top priority. We ask for your patience and understanding for our decision on this matter and that Football Alberta and Football Canada have your best interest in play.
Sincerely yours,
Bryan Brandford Tim Enger
President, Football Alberta Executive Director, Football Alberta
CDMFA COVID-19 Statement (as of March 12th, 2020)
The CDMFA is committed to the safety and health of all its members. That said, amid the concern regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, we are suspending all scheduled CDMFA Spring Programming. All CDMFA games and CDMFA events will be suspended until further notice. This plan of action is based on Alberta Health Services Recommendations and Public Health Restrictions. The CDMFA will continue monitor Alberta Health Services Updates and we will adjust our Covid-19 action plan accordingly.
Football Canada UPDATE on COVID-19 and Domestic Competitions
Football Canada continues to monitor the public health situation regarding the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. The likelihood of contracting the virus in Canada continues to remain low. Football Canada strongly recommends that participants, coaches, event organizers and administrators carefully review the joint message of the Sport Medicine Advisory Committee comprised of Chief Medical Officers from the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee, and the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network:
National and Regional Championships
There have been very few cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in Canada. At this time, the Joint Advisory below suggests that there is currently no indication to delay or postpone sporting events in Canada, or to recommend limits on Canadian-based travel at this time. Football Canada and the Host PSOs of these events are moving forward with plans to deliver great events and positive experiences for all participants.
Football Canada is responsible for the operation and oversight of national and regional championships for both contact and flag which operate from late June to August. In conjunction with campus policy where applicable, along with regional and national health authorities Football Canada will:
- Determine the operation of the Annual General Meeting no later than May
- Determine the operation of all tackle/contact competitions no later than May
- Determine the operation of all flag/non-contact competitions no later than June
In regard to leagues and provincial jurisdictions, Football Canada highly recommends consideration of suspension of practice or play until further notice. However, if you choose to continue operation we suggest:
- Refer to your insurance policies regarding liability on COVID-19.
- Check daily with your provincial health authority on status regarding public gatherings and/or
- Check daily with your provincial sport authority regarding the latest bulletins on COVID-19.
- No sharing of water bottles - work to find ways to add water breaks during game to avoid similar to extreme heat water
- No shaking hands after
- Monitor and Follow provincial restrictions surrounding group
- Re-enforce washing of
- Instruct athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, trainers, equipment managers to stay home if feeling
The health and well-being of our football community is Football Canada’s top priority. Football Canada will continue to monitor of developments surrounding COVID-19 within Canada and provide updates to our members when available.
More detailed information regarding COVID-19 is available here:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/being- prepared.html
For more information for PSOs, please contact: Shannon Donovan,
Executive Director T: (613) 868-1179
E: sdonovan@footballcanada.com
For more media inquiries, please contact: Jim Mullin
President
T: (778) 996-7398
