BCPFA Statement on COVID-19
To: All Football Participants From: Frank Naso, President Keith Ryan, Executive Director View as Webpage
The British Columbia Provincial Football Association (BCPFA) continues to monitor the public health environment caused by the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The last 24 hours have seen the Government of British Columbia issue directives that are designed to ensure the safety of British Columbians but will have an impact on football programs across the province READ: Joint statement on update on new and existing COVID-19 cases in B.C. Most specifically, event organizers have been directed to cancel any gathering larger than 250 people. This includes indoor and outdoor sporting events, conferences, meetings, or other similar events. This threshold has been selected, as it is much easier to maintain important social distancing to prevent transmission of COVID-19. BCPFA Programs and Events With respect to programs and events (excluding the AGM) that are organized directly by the BCPFA:
All events and programs schedule between March 12th and March 31st are being immediately postponed
The scheduled camps in Prince George, Kamloops and Kelowna will be rescheduledThe open tryouts for Team BC that were scheduled for March 28th/29th have been tentatively re-scheduled for April 18th/19th.
The BCPFA recognizes that the public health situation is not static, and we anticipate needing to further adjust our programs and schedules to help ensure the health and safety of the football community. READ: Football Canada Statement on COVID19 Government Notices The Canadian Government (and specific the PHAC) has assessed the public health risk associated with COVID-19 - https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html The BC Ministry of Health - https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-feature/coronavirus-disease-covid-19
Club and League Programs/Events Not all communities and regions in BC have been impacted by the spread of COVID -19, so the BCPFA encourages all affiliated clubs and leagues to make program decisions based on their local public health environment (excluding events with an excess of 250 people which should be cancelled or postponed). The BCPFA encourages all our participants to take steps that mitigate the risk of exposure to the COVID-19 Virus, including:
Monitor news from your local public health authority
No 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 to stay home if feeling ill
The BCPFA will continue to monitor the situation and work with our stakeholders and partners to help ensure the health safety of all our players, coaches, officials, volunteers and fans.