Mask mandates and other measures lifted or loosened soon
Toronto Rock, FirstOntario Centre (Photo: Christian Bender)
Over the past month, National Lacrosse League teams have been locked out of their arenas, postponed games due to provincial pandemic-related restrictions, competed with zero fans in the stands, and hosted teams over a thousand miles away from home base.
It appears many of those stringent restrictions have been, will be lifted or at least loosened soon throughout various NLL cities.
Halifax Thunderbirds
The Thunderbirds were handed the harshest restrictions anywhere in the league when the province of Nova Scotia suspended all indoor gatherings, including pro sporting events. As a result, Halifax has had a number of games rescheduled, and this weekend will play their second home date in Hamilton, Ontario when they face the Philadelphia Wings at the FirstOntario Centre.
Well, starting February 19th, the Thunderbirds are officially back in Halifax. A team announcement earlier this week confirmed, “In accordance with provincial guidelines, the Thunderbirds and Scotiabank Centre will be able to allow 3,000 fans to each game through March 14. After that date, that amount of fans will increase to 5,000 fans through April 14, with plans to entirely lift attendance and concessions restrictions after that second phase’s completion.”
On Friday, the team also confirmed that just 750 tickets remained for that upcoming highly anticipated home date against the Georgia Swarm.
Halifax in their temporary Hamilton home (Photo: Ryan McCullough)
Calgary Roughnecks
The Roughnecks, who due to their various schedule delays set a new NLL record for in-season inactivity, are likely really relived they’ll be able to open concession stands again soon. Plus, the province of Alberta no longer requires proof of vaccination when going anywhere indoors, including a game at Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome.
A Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation statement said, “Beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, February 9th with the Flames game versus the Vegas Golden Knights, there will be a full return of food and beverage services for all patrons. In addition, we will no longer require our patrons to provide proof of vaccination with the elimination of the Restrictions Exemption Program.
“Capacity limitations will remain at 50% through the end of February and masks will be required for all patrons while not actively eating or drinking (children 12 and under are exempt from masks as of February 14th).”
Alberta Premier, Jason Kenney, told media earlier this week, “The program is no longer serving a useful and compelling purpose. I could not stand in front of Albertans tonight and justify a continuation of a program that has done its job.”
The Roughnecks host the Colorado Mammoth tonight.
Saskatchewan Rush, SaskTel Centre
Saskatchewan Rush
The Rush have had arguably the lightest limitations placed on them by their province during the last number of months, and this week those minimal mandates were loosened even more.
Both Saskatchewan & Alberta governments announced this week their fairly aggressive approach to ending not only the previously mentioned proof of vaccination requirements, but mask mandates as well. While Alberta no longer requires children 12 and under to wear a mask indoors, as of the end of this month, Saskatchewan will not require any individual of any age to wear a mask when attending an indoor event like a Rush game.
Vancouver Warriors
British Columbia’s indoor gathering requirements will remain unchanged, their Premier, John Horgan, this week stating, “We want to make sure that the sacrifices that businesses and workers and communities have made over the past two years are not just thrown away because of some noise out on the legislative lawn or in the capital city of Canada.”
The Warriors will continue to be limited to 50% capacity at Rogers Arena, with masks still mandated as well.
Rock host Knighthawks on January 29th in Hamilton (Photo: Christian Bender)
Toronto Rock
This Saturday the Rock will be forced to play their third consecutive home date in an empty FirstOntario Centre when they host the Buffalo Bandits in a critical East Division dance. The team tweeted this week that as of March 5th, however, that will no longer be the case. Tickets are back on sale and the Rock are ready to host the New York Riptide on the 5th with fans celebrating in the stands once again.
The province of Ontario, who implemented some of the strictest restrictions and limitations in Canada, aren’t as far along as Alberta or Saskatchewan in minimizing mandates, but that may be coming much sooner than many anticipated.
“Today we are on track to very soon remove almost all restrictions for businesses as a part of our reopening plan,” Ontario Premier, Doug Ford, said in a news conference earlier today. “And we heard from Dr. (Kieran) Moore last week, and again yesterday that he is now working on a plan that will allow us to remove the vaccine passport system. My friends, this is great news and a sign of just how far we have come together in this fight.”
Last week Ford said he doesn't see the province's mask mandates ending anytime soon though.
Updated (Feb. 14, 2022): Ford announced that Ontario will be removing the province's proof of vaccination system as of March 1, although businesses are permitted to continue with the previous proof system if desired. Starting February 17th, capacity limits for indoor sporting events will go back to 50%. Masks are still required.
“Like all of you I've waited a long time for this news, but please never doubt that the steps we took together, as difficult as they were, were absolutely necessary and saved tens of thousands of lives,” Ford said in a news release.
Rochester Knighthawks
Earlier this week, the Knighthawks confirmed that all mask and vaccination requirements to enter Rochester’s Blue Cross Arena were lifted leading into the team’s game against the Albany FireWolves this Saturday.
“After several extensive discussions and consultation with the proper authorities at both the local and state level, we’re pleased to announce that, effective Thursday, Feb. 10, all restrictions that were previously in place for admission into Blue Cross Arena will be lifted,” said Rob Minter, vice president of business operations for Blue Cross Arena as well as the Amerks and Knighthawks, in a team statement this week. “We understand how difficult and challenging these last few months have been and we’re extremely grateful for the overwhelming support we have received from the community. As we move forward following today’s announcement, we’re thrilled for the opportunity to welcome back all guests as early as this Saturday’s Knighthawks game.”
Albany FireWolves
The FireWolves today retweeted MVP Arena, their home floor, the facility confirming that, “Masks are no longer required. Patrons who are more comfortable wearing one are encouraged to do so. Patrons are not required to show proof of vaccination or a negative test result. The policy is subject to change.”