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BCHL to require players and staff to have COVID-19 vaccinations

Brian Wiebe

 

Players, staff, and fans attending BC Hockey League games during the 2021-22 season will all need to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The league released a statement Tuesday saying it is in full support of the vaccination mandate announced by the Provincial Health Officer and the BC government on Aug. 23.

As of Sept. 13, individuals attending enter certain spaces, including indoor ticketed sporting events, are required to provide proof of one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. By Oct. 24, entry to ticketed sporting events requires people to be fully vaccinated at least seven days after receiving both doses.

The league statement on Tuesday says all spectators attending a BCHL game for the 17 BC-based teams are required to show proof of vaccination. Any players or team staff entering a BCHL building at any given time are also required to be vaccinated.

The BCHL says it is committed to upholding these regulations in the interest of the health and safety of its players, staff, and fans.

The first BCHL pre-season game is set for Sunday, Sep. 19 with the Victoria Grizzlies home to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.

Brian Wiebe

Brian's been involved in the BCHL in a variety of capacities for 17 years. From 2002 to 2012, he served in several roles around the Merritt Centennials organization, including as team president, board member, beat writer, colour commentator, webmaster, media and communications coordinator and marketing assistant. He's been writing about the BCHL since 2008 and served as colour commentator on the TSN 1040 broadcasts in 2012-13. BCHLNetwork is one of Brian's many passion projects that he balances around his full-time job as an instructor in the Radio Arts and Entertainment Program at BCIT in Burnaby.