BCWA Health Safety Update Dec. 7/20

Hello BCWA members,

BCWA is extending indefinitely the province-wide restriction of all in-person wrestling activities effective Monday, December 7, 2020 at noon. This restriction applies to all age groups, with the exemption of High Performance Athletes.

High performance athletes are individuals that have been identified to a targeted athlete list with the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific by BCWA or WCL. Athletes that meet this criteria are exempt from the Order and BCWA’s restriction. BC based travel and training, may occur without requirements for physical distance.

With safety as the top priority, the leadership team at BCWA is erring on the side of caution in our contribution to the overall provincial effort to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Other provincial sport governing bodies may implement a different approach inconsistent with the recommendations of viaSport and the PHO.

At this point, we encourage clubs, coaches, and athletes to move to a virtual platform to continue wrestling activities. We strongly recommend all participants ensure they have the appropriate protection and have a current BCWA membership, which is valid from September 2020 to September 2021. Clubs and coaches are reminded to have a club safety plan, as it is a requirement by the BC Government to access the COVID-19 liability protection under the Ministerial Order.

Member clubs and coaches may contact BCWA at execdirector@bcwrestling.com for details on requirements for virtual training. In addition to current BCWA membership and submission of a club safety plan, specific requirements are necessary for virtual training to ensure qualification for insurance protection.

PHO General Public Order

By order and direction of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), all events and social gatherings are suspended to significantly reduce COVID-19 transmission related to social interactions and travel.

No social gatherings of any size at your residence with anyone other than your household or core bubble. For example:

Do not invite friends or extended family to your household

Do not host gathering outdoors

Do not gather in your backyard

Do not have play-dates for children

Businesses, recreation centres or other organizations that organize or operate group fitness activities must temporarily suspend them or move to virtual options.

By order of the PHO, restrictions are in place for adult and youth indoor and outdoor team sports. These temporary restrictions are in place to limit the amount of physical interactions and travel to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

As outlined in the mask mandate order, masks are required for everyone in many public indoor settings. A face shield is not a substitute for a mask as it has an opening below the mouth.

Stay in and stay safe!

BCWA