IMPORTANT: The below information will be updated as additional details are received by Basketball Manitoba from Sport Manitoba and the Province of Manitoba. Stay informed automatically by subscribing to our email newsletters.
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In light of the news announced on Friday, November 12, 2021, by the Province of Manitoba tied to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, a number of significant changes have been made tied to indoor sports in Manitoba. They include...
- NEW: VACCINE REQUIREMENTS: Effective Monday, December 6, 2021, all people AGES 12 AND UP (players, coaches, officials, volunteers, spectators, staff, etc.) must be able to provide proof of their full vaccination status along with other identification (see below for the acceptable forms of identification) to gain entry to any indoor sporting facility in Manitoba, including a basketball gymnasium.
- VIEW FULL DETAILS ON MANITOBA GOVERNMENT WEBSITE ALONG WITH FAQs
- AGES 12-17: Those currently ages 12-17 can also produce documented proof that they have received one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine for COVID-19 (SAMPLE), OR a time-stamped documented proof of a negative Antigen COVID-19 Test (SAMPLE) within the previous 72 hours that is confirmed by an authorized pharmacist. This information is to be presented upon entry to an indoor basketball facility.
- Personal health information from individuals of any age is not to be collected by member clubs, teams or leagues in advance.
- These changes will affect all levels of basketball in Manitoba including those at the club, community centre and school levels. More school details can be found on the MHSAA website.
- NO CHANGE: MOUTH GUARDS: Players who choose to wear a mouth guard during a basketball game or practice are to keep the appliance in their mouth at all times while active on the court. Players who remove or adjust the guard while on the court will be required to sanitize their hands again with hand sanitizer provided by the facility or a personal supply before continuing to play/practice.
- NO CHANGE: CLARIFIED PARTICIPANT DEFINITION CONNECTED TO MASKS: Indoor sports facilities in Manitoba will be requiring the use of non-medical masks however the "participant" has the option to remove the mask while active on the court. (see below definition). Facilities do reserve the right to request that masks remain on at all times and that user groups should communicate with the facility manager to know what is required and are asked to follow that requirement. Masks are to remain on for everyone (including spectators) while off the court including in the hallways, washrooms, change rooms and spectator areas of the facility.
- DEFINITION: Basketball Manitoba is defining a "participant" at a basketball game or practice in Manitoba as a registered Basketball Manitoba member (including directly and through a member league, organization or club) as a...
- Player (both on the court or on the bench as a substitute)
- Head Coach, Assistant Coach and/or Manager
- Assigned Official
- NO CHANGE: POSTGAME HANDSHAKING: Basketball Manitoba is advising all member leagues, clubs and teams that the act of all game participants (players, coaches, officials) shaking hands/fist-bumping following a game will remain on pause. Teams can do a cheer for the other team and a wave following a game to minimize unnecessary contact. This move was added very early in the pandemic prior to the mass shutdowns of mid-March 2020 and now with games returning, it will remain in place until further notice.
- NO CHANGE: PARTICIPANT NUMBERS: Allowance with no maximum participant number restrictions for indoor basketball to gather for games, tournaments, practices, training and camps. Under the Canada Basketball Return Plan, this would equate to Phase 5 of their plans. (See below Public Health Orders)
- NO CHANGE: SPECTATORS: The number of spectators at an outdoor sporting or recreational facility must not exceed 50% of the usual spectator capacity of the facility. All spectators ages 12 and up are subject to the above proof of vaccination requirements. Indoor or outdoor facilities also reserve the right to admit or not admit spectators at the moment. (See below Public Health Orders)
- NO CHANGE: SOCIAL DISTANCING: Social distancing (2m) is to be maintained at all times between players, coaches and officials when not active on the court and are expected to follow all other restrictions imposed by a facility when using change rooms/washrooms.
- PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS: The wording of current Public Health Orders affecting sports in Manitoba are included below.
ADDED DEC 3: PROOF OF VACCINATION STATUS AGES AND IDENTIFICATION SUMMARY
| List of Acceptable Proof of Vaccination |
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| One of the following:
- Manitoba Immunization Card (either card or electronic)
- Proof of single vaccination (print out or screenshot)
- Pharmacy confirmed negative COVID test result within 72 hours of entering the facility for activity or event.
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| - Driver's License
- Birth Certificate
- SIN #
- Passport
- Health Card
- Student ID Card
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| One of the following:
- Manitoba Immunization Card (either card or electronic)
- National Defense Canada COVID-19 Vaccine Record / Card
- Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) Travel Vaccination Record
- Canadian province / territory issued official document containing information of COVID-19 vaccination history.
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| - Driver's License
- Birth Certificate
- SIN #
- Passport
- Health Card
|
|
Ticketed Events
- All spectators age 12 and over must provide valid proof of full vaccination and corresponding valid ID.
- Spectators age 11 and under do not require proof of vaccination at this time, but must be accompanied by a caregiver who is fully vaccinated.
FAQ for information on immunization cards can be found here:
Exceptions for immunization screening:
- Authenticated proof of exemption from the Province of Manitoba
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The new Manitoba Public Health Orders that were formally released on November 12, 2021, tied to sports specifically state...
ORDER 13 - OUTDOOR FACILITIES
13(1) Subject to subsection (2), outdoor sporting and recreational facilities may open
13(2) Except for ticketed sporting events under Order 16, the operator of an outdoor sporting or recreational facility must ensure that the number of spectators at the facility does not exceed 50% of the usual spectator capacity of the facility.
ORDER 14 - INDOOR FACILITIES
14(1) Except for ticketed sporting events under Order 16, indoor sporting and recreational facilities, including dance schools and martial arts studios, must not operate unless admission of members of the public to the facility is restricted to the following:
- (a) persons who produce proof of vaccination;
- (b) persons who produce proof from the Government of Manitoba that there is a medical reason for the person not to receive a vaccine for COVID-19;
- (c) persons under 12 years of age;
- (d) until December 5, 2021, persons who are at least 12 years of age but who have not yet reached 18 years of age;
- (e) on or after December 6, 2021, persons who are at least 12 years of age but who have not yet reached 18 years of age and who produce
- (i) proof that they have received one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine for COVID-19, or
- (ii) proof of a negative rapid COVID-19 test result within the previous 72 hours that is confirmed by a pharmacist.
14(2) For certainty, subsection (1) applies to spectators who are watching sporting or recreational activities at the facility.
14(3) Subsection (1) applies when gymnasiums and other indoor sporting facilities at a public or independent school are used for sporting activities that are not part of the school curriculum.
ORDER 28 - MASKS
28(1) A person who enters or remains in an indoor public place must wear a mask in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin without gapping.
28(2) The operator of an indoor public place must ensure that every person who is not wearing a mask while in the indoor public place is given a reminder to do so as soon as practicable.
28(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply in respect of the following:
- (a) a child who is under five years of age;
- (b) a person with a medical condition that is unrelated to COVID-19, including breathing or cognitive difficulties or a disability, that prevents them from safely wearing a mask;
- (c) a person who is unable to put on or remove a mask without the assistance of another person;
- (d) a person who is swimming or engaged in other athletic activities, including referees and other game officials;
- (e) a musician or other performer at licensed premises or at a performing arts venue or an announcer or broadcaster at a sporting event;
ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- Basketball Manitoba stresses that coaches lead a gradual return to basketball over the coming weeks and months understanding that athletes may not have been active for a long period of time with a focus on athlete health and injury prevention being stressed during all training. More information on this topic can be found in the Canada Basketball Return Plan. (pages 5-8)
- All equipment including basketballs and hands are to be properly sanitized before and after all training sessions.
- Sanitizer Notes:
- A liquid form of hand sanitizer with 70%+ alcohol content in a spray bottle works well-cleaning basketballs and other equipment with a clean rag and on hands at the same time.
- The cleaner dries fast and leaves no residue or smell on the basketball or hands and shows no damaging effects to rubber or synthetic basketball.
- The liquid sanitizer and empty spray bottles can be purchased at home repair and department stores including Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Lowe's, Home Hardware, Walmart and many other locations including many online retailers.
- It is strongly recommended that training groups and teams follow the "rule of 2" in seeing at least 2 coaches present during any games or practices.
- The full Basketball Manitoba Return to Play Guidelines with the above exceptions remain in place can be found HERE.
Please note that the
Basketball Manitoba Insurance Program has returned to protect all registered members under both accident and liability coverage effective
April 1, 2021. Only participants who are registered members in the 2021-22 membership year are covered under this liability coverage. All others will participate at their own risk.
Membership and insurance inquiries can be made to
Adam Wedlake at Basketball Manitoba.
The sport of basketball in Manitoba will remain in this state until the new health orders are updated or changed by Manitoba Public Health.
ADDED DEC 3: SPORT MANITOBA MEMO - DECEMBER 3, 2021
As of December 6, 2021, youth aged 12 to 17 years attending indoor sport and recreational facilities must provide proof that they have received:
at least one dose of an approved vaccine, or
proof of a pharmacist-confirmed negative result from an approved rapid antigen test, from within the 72 hours before participation
It is the responsibility of the facility operator to ensure all other public health orders are followed.
In partnership with the Department of Sport, Culture, Heritage, as well as sport and education stakeholders, the Manitoba government has prepared guidance for facility operators, sports organizations, and schools to ensure they are in compliance with the public health orders.
For information on proof of vaccination, the scope of the orders, and how to collect and manage personal health information, visit:
https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/testing/testing-youth-indoor-sports.html
This information is also available in a fact sheet that can be downloaded or printed, and shared with your teams.
Recreation Manitoba has complied additional resources for sport on its website:
- Sample of a negative rapid antigen test from a pharmacy
- Sample of proof of a single dose record from Shared Health website
- A reference guide for COVID-19 screeners
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NOTE: If there is a discrepancy between any Basketball Manitoba statement to the actual Manitoba Public Health Orders, the public health orders will always take precedence.
Basketball Manitoba will continue to monitor the current public health orders and make any updates or revisions as needed. This article will be updated as further information on these impacts is known.
More details on these changes can be found on the Province of Manitoba website.
