BC LACROSSE ASSOCIATION STATEMENT ON COVID-19

The Canadian Lacrosse Association issued a memo last night and it is pasted below and available on the BCLA Website. They are recommending "that all lacrosse activity in Canada be postponed until April 5th, 2020".

The BC Lacrosse Association's stance remains the same. Since we are not the experts, we look to the Federal and Provincial Governments to follow and enforce their directives, and at this time, we ask that you keep well-informed by monitoring the Canadian and BC health authority websites.

There is information on the Government of Canada site that explains what we should be doing, as a society, to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This site also has a definition of "Social Distancing" - https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/health-professionals/public-health-measures-mitigate-covid-19.html

Some of our member associations/leagues are suspending their activities and we certainly support those decisions. We leave it to you to keep informed and make the best, most-informed decisions for your members. We will continue to monitor and communicate any changes as they become available.

Further information about novel coronavirus is available on the BC Centre for Disease Control website: http://www.bccdc.ca/

The latest WHO statements on Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak can be found at WHO website - https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/media-resources/news.

CANADIAN LACROSSE ASSOCIATION STATEMENT ON COVID-19

OTTAWA, ON - The Canadian Lacrosse Association values the safety of its players, coaches, officials, staff and fans as its highest priority. As the national governing body for the sport of lacrosse in the country, we have been and will continue to closely monitor all COVID-19 developments in consultation with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and relevant provincial governing bodies.

We remain committed to continually updating our membership and stakeholders for all Canadian Lacrosse Association activity that is impacted by the ongoing uncertainty of the unprecedented and dynamic COVID-19 situation. Information from the relevant governing bodies and public health agencies will be shared as it becomes available.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) currently advises organizers of events to consider deferring, cancelling, or changing their plans. Since situations differ, you should consult the health authorities in your jurisdiction (see contact information below) to inform your decisions. There has been a growing number of cancellations over the last 48 hours or so; you may wish to consider cancelling or postponing an event, or determine whether spectator numbers can be limited. These are difficult decisions as there are consequences for cancelling, but there are also risks associated with not cancelling.

The Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA) recommends that all lacrosse activity in Canada be postponed until April 5th, 2020.

The CLA will continue to closely monitor all COVID-19 developments in consultation with all public health authorities, Member Associations and relevant governing bodies and provide updates.

Government of Canada novel coronavirus information line: 1-833-784-4397
British Columbia: 811