BC School Sports has received the green light to proceed with sports tournaments once again.
The announcement was made in a social media post on Thursday evening (Feb. 3) and came after weeks of conversations with the Ministry of Education.
“It’s official! School Sports Tournaments are back,” BC School Sports said in a Tweet.
“Thanks, everyone for your support this week and to the Ministry of Education and stakeholders for being open to constant dialogue this week to understand the issue.”
It's official! School Sports Tournaments are BACK!
Thanks everyone for your support this week and to the Ministry of Education and stakeholders for being open to constant dialogue this week to understand the issue. We look forward to continuing working with you moving forward.
— BC School Sports (@BCSchoolSports) February 4, 2022
BC School Sports executive director, Jordan Abney, spoke to Black Press on Wednesday, saying that he remained “hopeful” tournaments would be back in action sooner than later.
READ MORE: BC School Sports ‘hopeful’ Ministry of Education will reverse tournaments restriction
Revised provincial health orders as of Feb. 1, allow local club sports tournaments to proceed.
Intervention from the Ministry of Education, however, prevented primary and secondary schools from being included in the loosened restrictions.
Now that tournaments can move forward there are COVID-19 safety protocols that closely mirror measures already in place in B.C. schools.
Notably, spectators at indoor events are not permitted, according to the province’s COVID-19 guidelines for sports tournaments.
The province also stressed the importance of ensuring teams don’t socialize with their opponents and that individuals have personal space during all tournament proceedings.
BC School Sports confirmed the ministry’s latest decision in an email to Black Press on Friday morning.
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British ColumbiaCOVID-19Local SportsMinistry of HealthOkanagan
