Covid-19

Return to Skate

This page is dedicated to the safe and happy return to skating for New Brunswickers as we evolve with the removal of Covid-19 restrictions. 

We continue to follow the recommendations of Federal and Provincial Public Health authorities and Skate Canada; we will keep you updated as needed.

As always, stay safe, wash your hands, social distance yourself and follow federal and provincial public health guidelines.

Skate Canada New Brunswick Return to Skating Template for Clubs and Skating Schools
  • Template as of September 4, 2020 (changes highlighted in yellow)
  • Template FAQ (September 11 2020)
    • Additions and/or modifications are highlighted in yellow
  • Each Club and Skating School needs a plan prior to returning to skating
  • Plans must be submitted to SCNB prior to returning to skating (executivedirector@skatenb.org)
  • Reminder to consult your facility when adapting this document.
  • Document will be updated by SCNB as needed; this will be communicated to our Clubs and Schools at that time. 


Public Health Agency of Canada

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html

Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health

https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/ocmoh/cdc/content/respiratory_diseases/coronavirus.html

Skate Canada

https://skatecanada.ca/covid-19-response/

FAQs - July 17 2020 (addition in italics)

When can skating resume?
New Brunswick’s Recovery Plan allows for rinks to reopen in the Yellow Level. In this phase, low contact sports may resume provided they operate as per guidance provided by Skate Canada and Skate Canada New Brunswick.

 

What does my club need to do to resume activities?

EVERY Club and Skating School NEEDS an Operational Plan. This plan must meet the guidelines set by four (4) authorities:

Skate Canada New Brunswick will provide a template for our clubs as they plan their return to skating. This template will be based on the following guidelines:

At this time, we are focusing on singles skating only. Programs such as CanSkate, CanPowerSkate, Synchro, etc. will be addressed later this summer.

IMPORTANT:

  • SCNB needs to review your Operational Plan prior to the start of your programing. We will also keep a copy on file.
  • Operational Plans will need to be updated and reviewed as the situation evolves.

 

Can our club or skating school adopt Skate Canada New Brunswick’s Operational Plan?

No, you cannot adopt SCNB’s Operational Plan.

Our Coaches are self-employed; do they require their own Operational Plan?

Unless the coaches offer activities independently of a club/school, they are not required to have their own Operational Plan.

The Club and Coach relationship is that of an Employer and Employee. What are their roles?

WorkSafe NB, whose role is to promote healthy and safe workplace environments for employers and employees, has created a webpage which contains various documents pertaining to Covid-19. https://www.worksafenb.ca/safety-topics/covid-19/covid-19-what-workers-and-employers-need-to-know/

One important resource for Clubs and Coaches is the guide: Embracing the New Normal which provides information and an operational plan template.

Where can we purchase hand sanitizing or protective equipment?

https://www2.snb.ca/content/dam/snb/Procurement/AtlanticCanadaPPESuppliersForPrivateIndustry.pdf

 

Where can I find a guide on cleaning and disinfection for Covid-19?

https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/h-s/pdf/Cleaning_DisinfectingE.pdf


Has our National Sport Organization (NSO), Skate Canada, provided guidelines which Clubs and Coaches must follow?

Yes, they are found here: https://skatecanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Return-to-Skating-Guidelines.pdf


Does Skate Canada Insurance cover Covid-19?

Unfortunately, no it does not. 


What are the key factors we must consider in our operation plan?

The following are key words:

  • Physical (or Social) Distancing
    • A MUST!
    • Low Contact
  • Screening
  • Hygiene
  • Cleaning and Disinfecting
  • Communication
  • Bubbles!

Financial Relief
As per the ever evolving Covid 19 situation, we wanted to bring you up to speed on potential financial assistance for our Clubs.

COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund

The sport sector across Canada is presently facing significant financial pressures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the spring, the Federal Government announced a COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Sport Organizations. The Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture (Sport and Recreation Branch) has collaborated with Sport Canada to work on common goals of providing emergency financial support to the New Brunswick sport sector. From this collaboration the Department is providing a “COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund”. This funding is for organizations whose survival is threatened by this pandemic.

Applications are now being received. For more information and application forms, please visit the Departmental website at: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/thc/Sport.html.


Provincial Support
In addition to sport funding available at the Regional level, clubs may also ask for assistance to cover expenses related to Covid-19 Return to Skating measures (eg. sanitization equipment, signage, etc). Please contact your respective regional consultants to access this funding. Regional Consultant contact information is found here: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/thc-tpc/pdf/Sport/RegionalMapACBranch.pdf

 

Homework for Clubs, Skating Schools and Coaches 

EVERY Club or Skating School NEEDS an Operational Plan. Although SCNB will provide a template, Clubs and Schools have homework.

  • You MUST contact your facility and find out how they will operate. You should request a copy of their operational plan in order to incorporate their plan into yours.
  • Has your club done a risk assessment?
    • SCNB identifies 4 stakeholders within a club:
      • Skaters
      • Coaches
      • Parents
      • Volunteers
    • Have you identified the risk of exposure? Number and intensity of contacts within your operations? For example, dressing rooms, opening/closing doors, use of harness, coach positioning skater, playing music, etc.
    • You must also consider on-ice vs off-ice activities. For example, where can a skater do their warm-up; should skaters arrive prepared to go on the ice; where do they register etc.
  • Has your club identified an individual who will oversee your Covid-19 operational plan?
    • This person will need to implement, monitor and update your plan as the situation evolves.
  • Physical Distancing
    • This is a must for every operational plan.
  • Cleaning and disinfecting protocol
  • Program Management
    • Example: CanSkate badges, name tags, report cards
    • Playing music

Webinar

Highlights from May 26 2020 webinar with Steve Indig

“Hurry up, slow down”

Business Operations

  • Club business during Covid-19 will look different. It is highly likely that you will not operate at 100% capacity.
  • Urges everyone to look at various business models.
    • Can we operate at 10%, 25%, 50% registration capacity? Do we have to dip into our rainy day funds?
    • Need to think that it is likely clubs will open, close, open, close. This is a dynamic situation.
    • Plan for long-term and not just short term.
    • Review contracts, leases to understand short and long term financial liabilities or potential early termination provisions.
  • Don’t bankrupt organization! Be informed of your operation.

Online Training

Insurance

  • Insurance does not cover Covid-19 claims.
    • SCNB will be providing a waiver/assumption of risk and COVID-19 declaration to our Clubs.
  • Very important to follow governmental (Federal, Provincial, and Municipal) legislation, guides and recommendations.

Incorporation

Waivers and Declaration

  • Recommends the following for the SCNB Skating Family:
    • Waiver
    • Assumption of risk (for minors)
    • Declaration with respect to COVID-19
    • EDUCATE your members about the risks
  • SCNB has provided the above documents in the Club Operational Plan Template. 
    • Details as to who and when these must be signed are also found in the template. 

Sport Law and Strategic Group website:  https://sportlaw.ca/ 


Other resources