The Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association (VIAHA) says if everything goes to plan, teams could potentially be playing games again as early as Jan. 16-17.

鈥淚f we are permitted to return to Phase 3 on Jan. 8 the earliest possible date that we could resume play would be the weekend of Jan. 16-17,鈥� stated VIAHA president Jim Humphrey in a news release.

鈥淚t is possible a return to Phase 3 might include additional restrictions on travel or on the size and composition of cohorts. This is entirely dependent on viaSport in consultation with the Provincial Health Officer. Managing Directors/Commissioners and sraff will be cogniziant of this fact when designing cohorts and, in any case, travel will be a significant factor in determing a return to play.鈥�

The most recent directive from the Provincial Health Officer has returned hockey to Phase 2 activities until at least Jan. 8, 2021.

鈥漌hether we will move back to Phase 3 at that time is dependent on the number of new Covid 19 infections in the two weeks following Christmas,鈥� confirmed Humphrey, who noted that all hockey related activities over Christmas break must follow Phase 2 restrictions and it is the responsibility of each minor hockey association to ensure that if players engage in activities outside Phase 2 they are isolated from their teams for 14 days; otherwise the team will be isolated for 14 days.

鈥淭he VIAHA Executive Committee will be meeting in early January to review the situation and the possible route forward,鈥� added Humphrey.

editor@northislandgazette.com
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