Adult indoor and outdoor team sports are prohibited in B.C. and children’s programs must adhere to Phase 2 guidelines, restrictions announced by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry on Wednesday and updated on Thursday.
The ban includes basketball, cheerleading, combat sports, floor hockey, floor ringette, road hockey, ice hockey, ringette, martial arts, netball, team skating, soccer, volleyball, indoor bowling, lawn bowling, curling, lacrosse, hockey, ultimate, rugby, football, baseball and softball.
Kids’ sports programs, which until Wednesday were being conducted under Phase 3 guidelines, will return to Phase 2, which means keeping a distance of two metres from others, small groups, no spectators, no travel and modified games.
"We continue to see that indoor group activities — whether for fitness or team sports — are much higher risk right now," Henry said in a press release.
Swimming laps, tennis, golf, skiing and other individual sports are not restricted under the order.
Henry said an oldtimers’ hockey team from the B.C. Interior travelled to Alberta for games, ignoring public health orders, and some squad members contracted the virus, which has since spread and resulted in several dozen new cases in the community.
Lower intensity activities such as tai chi, yoga, Pilates and individual fitness are banned until new safety guidelines are released.
High-intensity group fitness activities including spin classes, hot yoga, boot camp, aerobics, dance classes or fitness, circuit training and high-intensity interval training are prohibited.
Youth dance classes are allowed, with strict distancing measures in place.
Click here for up-to-date provincewide restrictions.
