Dear Dojos and Head Instructors,
This is an update to the notice that was sent out to members after the recent announcements from the province on new COVID-19 targeted measures. Specifically, this update is intended to provide some further clarification to how these new temporary measures pertain to sport in affected areas and in our case as they relate to Karate for our athletes.
Prior to the announcement of these measures Karate Alberta had participated in a number of calls with the province and other stakeholders collecting information on the pandemic as it relates to our sport and our programs. All parties recognize and appreciate the work our clubs and dojos have done to adapt to the requirements in place in order to offer safe and much needed programming for our members. Despite that and despite the government’s public recognition of a job well done on the part of sport we find ourselves in this current situation. The situation Karate finds itself in is the same situation all sport in the affected regions for targeted measures find themselves in and we are all working from the same handbook.
No sport is pleased to be in this position particularly as we all find it difficult to see where our specific activities are making a significant contribution to the rising numbers of COVID-19 in the province.
Even with that these latest pronouncements from the government caught ourselves and the entire sporting community off guard.
Karate Alberta did immediately reach out to Alberta Health when these announcements were made and in an subsequent conversation with our sport consultant at Sport and Recreation Alberta the following was reiterated for clarity in understanding the latest government measures: Currently, the only way our athletes would be able to train would be on their own or in a one-to-one scenario (one coach/instructor and one athlete) – anything more than that (ie one instructor with two or more athletes) would be considered in the same vein as any other “group” fitness setting and is not allowed by current Alberta government rules. If a coach were to give instruction to more than one athlete at a time that activity would be considered as being a part of a group and would contravene the health order that was announced on Thursday.
Key points for our clubs to understand regarding this orders for the current period November 13th through until November 27th, 2020 in the affected regions:
- Cohort training is suspended.
- As per section 4 (b) of CMOH Order 37-2020 individual sport activity, including individual training can occur where participants can maintain a minimum of 2 metres distances from each other at all times. This includes on the dojo floor, any prep or viewing areas immediately adjacent to the dojo floor, all areas of the facility, including change rooms.
- As per section 6 (c) of CMOH Order 37-2020 (page 4 of the document), individual indoor high-intensity fitness activity (such as karate) can occur with or without an instructor or trainer. Karate Alberta does require a coach or instructor to be on floor, following physically distancing and wearing of a mask if required by the municipality for any training/activity that occurs that falls under the governance of Karate Alberta.
- Clubs & Dojos MUST ensure that no gatherings of 2 or more individuals take place before, during or after an individual training session.
- The facilities you use may or may not choose to allow these sporting activities to take place and may also have more stringent measures of their own in place that would also need to be adhered to.
Dojos in the affected areas for these targeted measures should look to get creative to find ways to still run a version of their program. Can your dojo allow for one-on-one training with both the athlete and instructor at minimum 2m distance from each other and from anyone else on the dojo floor? Can your dojo allow for individuals to train on the floor on their own with distanced space (2m) between everyone? Can you ensure that these distances are maintained 100% of the time? It is a challenge and perhaps not doable by all but it is not impossible.
If you have any questions regarding these above listed requirements or have a specific scenario as to how you feel you could still run a version of your program please feel free to reach out to Karate Alberta through the executive director and we will be happy to work with you on providing you the answers to your questions.
We should all be psychologically prepared for more measures to come our way in the near future as cases in the province continue to rise and the government looks to either add additional measures to implement or looks to extend the current targeted measures that have just been added.
Relevant Document Links
