Limited school and team sports allowed Monday as government changes restrictions

The Alberta Government has expanded what is allowed for indoor and outdoor sports activities, which goes into effect Monday.

Athletes under the age of 18 will be allowed to participate in lessons, practices, and conditioning activities for indoor and outdoor team-based minor sports and athletics. However, all games continue to be prohibited.

Originally, only one-on-one training was to be allowed in step 1 of the government’s phased approach to re-opening.

A maximum of 10 individuals, including all coaches, trainers and participants, can participate and all participants must maintain physical distancing from each other at all times.

That includes a 3-metre physical distance for indoor activities and 2-metres physical distance for outdoor activities.

Coaches or trainers may enter physical distancing space for brief interactions with participants to correct form or technique.

Participants must be masked at all times, except when engaged in the physical activity.

Coaches and trainers must remain masked at all times.

There must be limited access to change rooms, including for accelerated arrival and departure, for emergencies and for washroom use.

“Despite this small change, one thing remains the same: we all need to be cautious and make safe choices to limit the spread of COVID-19. It is vital that everyone involved diligently follows the health measures as we move forward. Together, we can continue to reduce the spread and keep protecting our health system,” said chief medical officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw in a press release.