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Canada’s stricter regulations further complicate NHL push through pandemic

Sixteen months after choosing Canada as the safest place to complete the season, the NHL now face a series of roadblocks north of the border complicating their efforts to weather the pandemic once again. .

The NFL and NBA can quickly move to a shorter quarantine period for people who test positive for coronavirus under new guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the two federations. may consider not testing vaccinated players who are not showing symptoms.

The NHL, with its seven teams north of the border, must balance the stricter COVID-19 regulations set forth by Canada’s federal and provincial governments.

“We’ve always had the issue of different rules in different jurisdictions, so this is not a new challenge,” Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said in an email to The Associated Press on Thursday. Three, a few hours before the game resumes after an extended holiday break. “(We are) navigating windy waters as best we can.”

The CDC’s recommendation to cut the quarantine period from 10 to 5 days prompted the NHL to review their virus protocols. However, there is little evidence Canada is willing to move like the US in the direction of easing regulations as provinces limit crowd sizes and impose additional restrictions.

“It is not in the minds of the state or the people and especially not in the minds of those in the medical field,” said University of Ottawa professor Gilles LeVasseur, who specializes in US-Canada relations. , said. “Right now it’s more, Let’s protect, be secure and let’s close the door and let’s do another detention.” … There is no mentality that says it’s part of us, it’s part of us and let’s live it. “

That path in the US, even in other sports leagues, is causing some frustration for hockey players who want to see the NHL relax some protocols, most notably reducing absenteeism. face mandatory from 10 days for people with symptoms of COVID-19.

“It seems like Canada has always been the reason a lot of things don’t happen, so I don’t know if we can make it,” forward Tampa Bay Lightning and NHL Players Association representative Alex Killorn said. “But it makes sense for us to do it and do it as soon as possible.”

Teammate Steven Stamkos on Monday said this was a good thing, while acknowledging discussion of less testing was taking place around the NHL locker rooms. Veteran CEO Lou Lamoriello on Sunday said the federation and the federation are doing the best they can without being able to control Canada’s federal and provincial rules.

“Unless we don’t play in Canada and we don’t have a team in Canada, you could consider (not testing vaccinated players who have no symptoms), and certainly that would be (considered) ,” said the New York Islanders general manager. “But with the Canadian guidelines and rules, that’s just not possible. We won’t be able to have games without the mandatory test to play in Canada.”

The NHL has postponed the Detroit Red Wings’ game at the Islanders scheduled for Wednesday, the 71st day of being rescheduled for virus-related reasons this season. More is likely to come, particularly in Canada in early 2022 to allow fans to go to arenas in Montreal and Winnipeg, which is currently not possible because of provincial restrictions in Quebec and Manitoba.

The American Hockey League, which has 26 teams in the US and 5 in Canada, is grappling with similar problems. While the NHL has postponed 70 games, the AHL is at 61 and is trying to play as much as possible without widespread disruption.

That comes with an admission that teams in Canada will be hard-pressed to avoid extended absences.

“You always follow through with what the Canadian government will do, and you respect that and our Canadian teams know it,” AHL President and CEO Scott Howson told the AP on Tuesday. “Our protocols have always followed whatever the Canadian government says, so if we do something less restrictive, but the Canadian government is clearly saying, “Well, you have to do it. this”, then that’s what the Canadian teams have to do. “

One option is to have different testing and isolation requirements for the US and Canada.

“There are arguments on both sides,” Howson said. “You want a level playing field, but for us 26 teams can have a less restrictive system, why should they be punished?”

The NHL is testing players, coaches and staff daily through January 7 as part of enhanced virus protocols, including a return to mask wearing and restrictions on road teams. The taxi team will be back until the All-Star break to try to keep the season going.

As for Canada following the US virus living strategy, LeVasseur does not expect that change for at least two more weeks while health officials monitor the number of cases and hospitalizations.

“If nothing turns out to be a disaster in the hospital, then you have that second mentality,” he said. “But until we get to January 15th, nothing will open up to that mentality. It’s going to be more self-contained, secure, restrained and more restrictive. That’s the pattern we’re going to see. “

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