Sports and Activities Guidelines

Operators must implement measures to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. Note: this guideline is not intended to be used for animal competitions. For competitive and show events involving animals, please refer to the Racing and Rodeo Guidelines.

COVID-19 droplet transmission is much more likely when individuals are in close contact. The likelihood of transmission between individuals participating in sport, physical activity and recreation in an indoor setting is significantly higher. Transmission is less likely in an outdoor setting, where air flow is greater and there is more space for individuals to keep physically distanced.

COVID-19 can also be transmitted if someone touches a contaminated surface and then touches their face without washing their hands. Many activities involve shared equipment among participants, coaches/staff, instructors, officials or volunteers. The virus does not enter the body through skin; it enters through the eyes, nose or mouth when an individual touches their face. This is why regular hand hygiene and cleaning of high-touch surfaces are so important.

Each sports organization and/or facility must establish a plan for how to avoid physical contact and the risk of COVID-19 transmission between participants. The guidance should align with provincial and national sporting bodies for each activity and be at least as restrictive as provincial guidelines.

• Designate one or more people to be responsible for ensuring compliance with these guidelines. This should not be someone engaged in other critical duties (e.g. referee, cashier).
• Contactless fundraising activities are permitted.
• Staff and participants should be given information on physical distancing and other requirements prior to attending. Staff should discourage gathering.
• Signage must be posted to caution patrons about the risks of COVID-19.
• Encourage participants to arrive no more than five to 10 minutes before the scheduled activity to reduce people gathering in groups.
• Wherever possible, activities should be relocated to outdoor settings.
• When participating in any sport or activity, contact must be avoided.
• Facility ventilation systems should be operational and appropriate for the activities being practised in them.
• Facilities may need to consider:
  • Increasing air circulation and ventilation, while preventing turbulent air flow.
  • Providing natural ventilation by opening windows and doors, wherever possible, to increase air flow.
• Remove unnecessary common items, such as magazines, brochures, etc.
• Encourage patrons to limit their time spent in the facility, as well as maintain physical distancing when returning to their vehicles or homes.
• Registration processes should be completed online whenever possible; however, if in-person registration is required, physical distancing and disinfecting pens between uses is required.
• Indoor play spaces are permitted; however, increased cleaning and disinfection are required. Operators must put measures in place to ensure physical distancing of non-household members and provide access to handwashing facilities or hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN number). Encourage operators to post signage.
• All food and beverage service and consumption must be separated (i.e. cordoned off) from the primary activity/games area. Food or drink is not permitted in the activity area.
• Team celebrations, banquets, gatherings and/or awards should be done virtually whenever possible. In-person events must follow the Banquets and Conference Centre Facilities Guidelines, unless being held in a restaurant or licensed establishment where the Restaurants and Licensed Establishments Guidelines apply.
• Drinking fountains must be closed. Water bottle filling stations are acceptable if appropriately and frequently sanitized.
• Contactless payment is preferred; however, cash may be accepted where necessary.
• Instruction is permitted with no contact and appropriate physical distancing and mask use.
• Spectator maximum capacity for the facility is 30 people as long as two metres of physical distancing can be maintained from other members of the public not included in their household group.
• Spectators should be limited as much as possible and priority given to parents and others needed to support the players, particularly for sports involving young children.
• Discourage gatherings of spectators in common areas.
• Spectators (excluding parents and guardians where necessary for player support) should be kept out of participant spaces (e.g. fields of play, courts, bench areas, change rooms). Refer to additional spectator requirements below.
• Where rental equipment is provided, it should be assigned to one person only and be laundered or cleaned and disinfected upon return.
• Mandatory, non-medical mask use is required during all indoor sporting activities, with aquatic activities the only exception.
• Large pool facilities (i.e. Lawson Aquatic Centre, Shaw Centre, Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre), ice surfaces and floor spaces (i.e. high school gym) can be used for multiple groups of individuals (18 years of age and under) for the purpose of conditioning and training if the following requirements are met:
  • Physical distancing of five metres between groups of participants, and three metres for high-intensity and two metres for low-intensity activities between participants is maintained.
  • Bulk heads (not swim lane dividers) for pools and barriers/markings for other surfaces are required to prevent interaction and physical contact between groups of participants.
  • Each group is limited to eight participants or less.
  • Maximum number in the facility is 30, not including coaches and staff.
  • Area is well ventilated. 
  • Group activities, such as swimming lessons, fitness classes and competitive swim team training, must be scheduled outside of public swim times.
  • Groups are managed to avoid queuing or crowding (e.g. start and end times must be staggered between groups to prevent larger numbers in change rooms and walkways).

For additional information, please call the Business Response Team at 1-844-800-8688 or email supportforbusiness@gov.sk.ca.

Youth extracurricular activities

• Structured extracurricular activities and programs for people 18 years of age and younger can continue to operate in groups of eight as long as they are supervised by an adult. These include:
  • Educational programs; 
  • Music;
  • Art;
  • Dance; and 
  • Drama.
• In-person performances, recitals, festivals and demonstrations are not permitted.

• Inter-provincial and intra-provincial team/mini-league competition is not permitted at this time.
• Athletes and performers 18 years of age and under may continue conditioning and skills training in groups of eight or fewer, abiding by the required mask use and at least three metres of physical distancing between participants at all times.
  • Individual groups of eight may not share a training/rehearsal surface or space at the same time.
  • Coaches /trainers are not included in the training group numbers as long as they are masked and maintain a minimum physical distance of three metres.
• Tournaments are not permitted.
• Athletes participating in the:
  • Brier, Scotties and Mixed Curling Championships;
  • Western Hockey League; and
  • Athletes (carded) identified as potential competitors at the Olympic or Paralympic Games by Sport Canada, who are over the age of 18
  may train, practise and compete for this purpose.

For additional information, please call the Business Response Team at 1-844-800-8688 or email supportforbusiness@gov.sk.ca.

Virtual Competitions

• Virtual competitions/virtual judging for individual sport activities is permitted.
• Athletes who require clubs or facilities to participate in a virtual judging/competition event must be scheduled to arrive, participate and depart one at a time; no group arrivals.
• Athletes must wear masks at all times, with the exception of aquatic activities.
• A distance of three metres must be maintained between the athlete and coaches/film staff.
• Coaches/film staff must wear a mask at all times.
• Competition is not permitted when there is a group of individual athletes in the same space.
• No travel is permitted beyond the athlete using their home club/facility (i.e. rink, pool or gym).
• No spectators are permitted.
• Ensure frequent hand hygiene for everyone before, during and after individual activity.
• It is recommended to carry and use hand sanitizers approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN number) before and after using recreational areas and equipment.
• Drinking fountains must be closed. Water bottle filling stations are acceptable if appropriately and frequently sanitized.

Indoor Activities (e.g. bowling, darts, billiards, golf)

• Masks must be worn.
• Recreational play is permitted. League and tournament play is suspended.
• Activity areas must be arranged in a way that ensures three metres of physical distancing between non-household groups.
• Reservations are recommended and scheduled times should be put in place to avoid queuing in common areas.
• Signage regarding all COVID-19 procedures and policies that are in place must be posted around the facility to remind patrons and staff of precautions.
• In the case of bowling, staff should direct patrons to their designated lane and explain the system for receiving shoes, balls and the scoring system.
• Bowling balls, shoes and bowling areas are to be cleaned and sanitized after each use. Bowling balls and shoes will be left in a drop zone as determined by management/staff.
• Bowling centres should install Plexiglas or provide other barriers at service counters to ensure staff and guests can remain physically distanced.
• Hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN) or soap and water handwashing stations should be made available in visible locations throughout the facility, including at all entry points, pay stations and other high-touch locations for customers and staff.
• In addition to routine cleaning, and disinfecting of customer areas between groups, common area surfaces that have frequent contact with hands should be cleaned and disinfected several times per day and when visibly dirty. Items being used for an activity (e.g. scoring system buttons, ball returns, seating, pool cues, billiards tables, balls, golf balls, clubs, darts, and boards, etc.) must be cleaned and sanitized between each group of patrons.
• Special attention should be paid to commonly touched surfaces in such as doorknobs, light switches, toilet handles, counters, hand rails, touch screen surfaces, POS terminals, keypads, and workstations, etc. Please see the Cleaning and Disinfection Guidelines for more information.
• Guest contact information must be obtained for all guests on the property daily for contact tracing purposes, and kept for a four-week period.
• During the activity, no food and beverage is permitted. Food and beverages must be consumed prior to or after the activity.
• Food or beverage may be served if there is an area designated for the consumption of food or beverage that is separate and apart from an event or any other activity, taking place in the facility, and the food or beverage is only consumed in the designated area. Please see the Restaurants and Licensed Establishment Guidelines.

• As of November 27, 2020, all team sport activities are suspended.
• Individual conditioning/training and individual sports activities with consistent masking in enclosed areas and consistent three metre physical distancing are permitted. Mask removal is only permitted during aquatic activities.
• Coaches/staff, officials and volunteers must wear a non-medical mask at all times.

Ski Resorts

• Guests must be advised to arrive dressed appropriately to ski or snowboard minimizing the use of indoor space. No personal belongings, or food, may be stored within the chalet at any time.
• Patrons must wear masks at all times.
• There are currently no capacity requirements for ski hills, as long as two metres of physical distance can be maintained between non-household groups.
• Facilities must have line controls in place, signage and other indicators (e.g. floor markers) to ensure patrons maintain physical distancing.
• Signage regarding all COVID-19 procedures and policies that are in place must be posted around the facility to remind patrons and staff of precautions.
• Hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN) or soap and water handwashing stations should be made available in visible locations throughout the facility including at all entry points, pay stations and other high-touch locations for customers and staff.
• All common areas, including washrooms, must be cleaned and disinfected frequently and following the Cleaning and Disinfection Guidelines in the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan.
• Patrons exhibiting signs of illness should be requested to leave the premises and directed to use the Government of Saskatchewan's self-assessment tool for COVID-19 and follow the subsequent directions.
• Special attention must be taken to ensure physical distancing inside lodges and warm up shacks, rental areas, lift lineups and concessions. Additional staff may be required to ensure mitigation measures are maintained.
• Guest contact information will be obtained for all guests on the property daily for contact tracing purposes and kept for a four-week period. 
• Tickets and all products and services should be available for pre-purchase online.
• Touchless payment options are encouraged. 
• All lift ticket redemptions, retail product redemptions, etc. are provided at outside ticket windows, where possible.
• Equipment rentals are permitted. Rental equipment must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between patrons.
• Parking areas must be monitored to prevent congregation of patrons, and vehicles must be spaced a minimum of two metres apart.
• All instructors and participants will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms prior to beginning the lesson.
• All instructors must wear a mask, and participants should be strongly encouraged to wear a mask.
• One-on-one or small group lessons consisting of household members are permitted as long as physical distancing is maintained between the instructor and participants.
• Group lessons that are not one-on-one are permitted as long as physical distancing is maintained between the instructor and participants, and between non-household participants. Groups must not have more than eight participants.
• Pre-registration is required for all lessons. Contact information must be gathered to provide, as needed, to public health for contact tracing purposes.
• Instructors can refer to resources from the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance or Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors to obtain additional information specific to COVID-19 mitigation measures and instruction.
• Food or beverage may be served if there is an area designated for the consumption of food or beverage that is separate and apart from an event or any other activity, taking place in the facility, and the food or beverage is only consumed in the designated area.
• Food and beverage areas must follow the Restaurants and Licensed Establishments Guidelines in the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan.
• Outdoor dining area should be provided and encouraged. Consider installing a take-out window for guests to dine outside.
• Indoor warm-up areas must be reduced to 50 per cent capacity or two metres distance between household groups, whichever is less. Consider using alternate methods, such as using your vehicle to warm up. The capacity is limited by seating and spacing restrictions as outlined in the Restaurants and Licensed Establishments Guidelines. These areas must undergo increased cleaning and disinfection.
• Patrons must be masked in warm-up areas.
• COVID-19 Workplace Information in the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan must be followed.
• All staff should undergo a health-screening questionnaire prior to the start of their shift.
• Staff areas, including lunchrooms, must ensure appropriate guidelines are followed (e.g. physical distancing requirements, hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection, etc.).

Outdoor Recreation Areas

• This includes outdoor rinks, tobogganing hills, cross-country ski trails, snowmobile trails and similar facilities.
• Every person who visits an outdoor recreation area must follow public health orders in order to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.
• People exhibiting signs of illness should not enter outdoor recreation areas. If you think you may be sick, use the Government of Saskatchewan's self-assessment tool for COVID-19 and follow the subsequent directions.
• The maximum number of people permitted at any one time on outdoor rinks or skating surfaces will not exceed 30, as long as a physical distance of two metres is maintained between non-household groups.
• Avoid gathering with other individuals or groups.
• For larger organized outdoor skating surfaces (e.g. flooded fields at football stadiums and skating ovals/loops), a plan must be provided to the Business Response Team. Capacity allowances will be determined based on the plan for these larger specialty ice surfaces.
• People not from the same household must maintain two metres of physical distancing at all times. Limit gathering with other people when entering and leaving the outdoor recreation area and supervising children.
• Group sizes must comply with the outdoor public gathering restrictions in the public health order.
• Ensure frequent hand hygiene for everyone before, during and after outdoor play.
• It is recommended to carry and use hand sanitizers approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN number) before and after using recreational areas and equipment.
• If rink surfaces or recreational areas are busy, come back when it's not as busy or use another area.
• Do not share toys or sports equipment between groups.
• Consider limiting children and other members of your household to only visiting outdoor recreational areas close to your home. This will help limit the number of people your family may come into contact with during the visit.
• Signage must be posted near recreational facility entrances and in shacks to caution about the risks of COVID-19, as well as educate users in following the guidelines. Signage should include the following reminders:
  • Individuals who are sick should stay home.
  • A physical distance of two metres must be maintained between people not from the same household.
  • Individuals should wash their hands before and after using parks and playgrounds.
  • Avoid overcrowding. Individual groups must not exceed the restrictions on public gatherings.
• Washroom facilities must have an increased cleaning and disinfecting schedule, ensuring soap and water or a hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN number) is available, as well as the proper disposal of paper hand towels.
• Garbage bins should be emptied frequently.

• All amateur, in-person events/performances/concerts/ competitions/ recitals/festivals/demonstrations of activities (including dance, band and choir) are not permitted, unless performed virtually. 
• No in-venue audiences/spectators are permitted.
• Physical contact of any kind is prohibited.
• Maximum capacity is 30 for any building or facility, not including video staff, instructors and building staff. 
• Entry and exit times must be pre-determined and scheduled. No group arrivals are permitted. 
• Performers/dancers/choirs/singing groups/musicians, as well as film staff, adjudicators, directors, instructors, etc., must wear masks at all times.
• Videos must be recorded in the largest space possible to maintain maximum distance between participants. 
• All organizers/participants/ videographers must self-monitor for symptoms and use the self-assessment tool at saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.
• Follow proper hand hygiene and coughing/sneezing etiquette:
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Scrub for 20 seconds.
  • If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN).
  • Avoid touching your face, mouth, nose and eyes.
  • Cough/sneeze into the bend of your elbow and then wash your hands with soap and water.
• Attendee lists must be collected and kept for a minimum of 30 days. Contact details must include date, time, name, address and phone number or email address.
• Signs and warnings about the risk of COVID-19, including mandatory masks and frequent handwashing, must be posted. Commonly touched surfaces and shared equipment must be cleaned and disinfected after contact between individuals, even when not visibly soiled. Special attention should be paid to commonly touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, rails, etc. Please see the Cleaning and Disinfection Guidelines for more information.
• No food and beverage is permitted.
• Close drinking fountains. Water bottle filling stations are acceptable if appropriately and frequently sanitized. 

Musicians/Singing

• Solo vocalists may remove masks during virtual performances, provided:
  • The solo vocalist is facing away from the musician.
  • The solo vocalist remains behind a physical barrier that is large enough to prevent transmission of COVID-19. All backup singers/accompanying musicians must be a minimum of three metres away from that barrier and remain masked.
  • Five metres physical distance must be maintained between the singer and camera operator (if the camera equipment is being operated by staff during the performance).
  • Barriers must be disinfected between performances.
  • Solo vocalists must wear masks before and after their performances.
  • Multiple singers are not permitted unless they wear masks. This includes backup vocalists.
  • A single vocalist may be accompanied by musicians, who must remain masked (e.g. pianist, guitarist, etc.).

Dance

• Dancers, instructors and the videographer must be masked and maintain a physical distance of three metres at all times.
• Groups of eight or less dancers (18 and under) may be in a space/room at the same time, and three metres physical distance must be maintained between each dancer.
• Dancers over the age of 18 are only permitted solo or individual virtual performances.
• Organizers will arrange pick up and drop off for participants, with parents/guardians remaining outside.
• Video recording should take place over several days or weeks to avoid interaction between cohorts.
• Regular training hours should be used to record videos, so dancers and instructors are limiting their interaction with each other.
• The registration process should be completed online, with all payments contactless.
• All feedback, evaluations and recognitions must be provided virtually.
• All video editing should take place off site.

• Patrons/staff who are sick or symptomatic must not enter/participate. Participants, spectators and volunteers should use the Government of Saskatchewan's self-assessment tool for COVID-19 and follow the subsequent directions.
• Participants, coaches, instructors and spectators should continuously self-monitor.
• Organizers must keep a record of attendees. All players, spectators, staff and volunteers should be provided with a sign-in on arrival option, with name, phone number and/or email to facilitate contact tracing, if necessary. Records of attendance must be retained for a minimum of one month. Where possible, do not use a common pen. Providing this information is voluntary for attendees and can only be used for the purposes of COVID-19 contact tracing.
• If a person becomes sick, they should immediately stop participating and return home.
• If a person becomes sick or injured, and first aid or further care is required:
  • Try to limit the number of individuals in contact with the sick person.
  • Place a mask over the individual's mouth and nose if they are not able to do so. Maintain a safe distance until the mask is in place.
• First aid providers caring for people should follow standard precautions. Those who provide direct care requiring close or direct contact should wear a mask.
• Following care, first aid providers should discard the mask and gloves following standard procedures and perform hand hygiene.

• Physical distancing must be observed at all times, with a minimum of two metres of space between individuals and spectator groups from different households.     
• Areas of congregation (e.g. team benches, bleachers) must be set up and used in a way that adheres to physical distancing requirements (i.e. only allow every other row in bleachers, use visual cues, etc.).
• Pylons or other markers should define the group space.
• Schedules should be staggered and the duration of the activity should be specified to promote physical distancing and allow for adequate cleaning and disinfection between uses.
• Wherever possible, promote physical distancing by:
  • Promoting one-way traffic flow to avoid individuals from inadvertently interacting.
  • Placing stickers or signage on the wall/floor every two metres.
  • Limiting lane use on indoor tracks to every other lane to promote physical distancing.
  • Spacing seats or assigning seating at two-metre distances.
  • Reducing capacity in each room, venue, court or ice surface in the facility.
• Common area chairs and tables should be stacked, roped off or removed from the area to promote distancing.
• Consider physical barriers (e.g. Plexiglas) at patron contact points.

• Cleaning and disinfection information for public facilities and workplaces is available.
• Increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting of commonly touched surfaces and shared equipment, such as vending machines, water fountain handles, doorknobs, handrails, light switches, countertops, tables, equipment handles and consoles.
• All frequently touched surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected prior to a new group being provided access to field space, including benches, dugouts, bleachers, railings, picnic areas, gates, etc.
• Increase the frequency of cleaning gymnasium floors to reduce the risk of transmission from shared objects (e.g. balls) and those who use wheelchairs.
• Encourage participants to bring their own equipment to the facility.
• Participant-owned equipment, including sport gloves, should be visibly clean.
• Shared equipment (e.g. tennis balls, basketballs, bats, etc.) must be cleaned and disinfected frequently.
• Increase the frequency of cleaning gymnasium floors to reduce the risk of transmission from shared objects (e.g. balls) and those who use wheelchairs.
• Where rental equipment is provided, it should be assigned to one person only and be laundered or cleaned and disinfected upon return.
• Ensure that handwashing sinks are fully stocked with soap and paper towels.
• Place an alcohol-based hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN number) in dispensers or soap and water handwashing stations near doors, common use equipment, washrooms/locker rooms, courtside and team areas, and other high-touch locations for patrons and staff. Patrons should be encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer when possible.
• Hand hygiene should be performed prior to play and contacting shared equipment, as well as through the duration of the activity (i.e. intermissions, breaks, etc.) and at the end.

• Spitting (includes seeds, tobacco and fluids) and other similar activities increase the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and are not permitted.
• Individuals must not share personal items (i.e. equipment or beverage containers).
• Congratulatory gestures such as high fives and handshakes are not permitted.
• Spectators, participants and players, staff, coaches and volunteers should try to minimize cheering and whistling as much as possible to control the spread of COVID-19.
• Consider how to adapt activities to take place outdoors and modify play to avoid physical contact, whenever possible.
• Intentional contact during sport or activity must be avoided. Modifications to activities that avoid physical contact are recommended.

• Limit the sharing of objects and tools by staff (e.g. equipment, gloves) or disinfect between uses.
• Hand hygiene must be performed between tasks.
• Encourage staff to launder uniforms/work clothes between shifts. 
• Employees are required to practise physical distancing at work. Avoid handshakes and any other physical contact with others. Remain at least two metres apart from others whenever possible.
• If staff are unable to maintain two metre distancing from coworkers, other measures must be in place to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. This may include, but is not limited to, self-monitoring of personal health and supervision by Infection Prevention and Control Officers or Occupational Health and Safety. Other appropriate measures include:
  • Staggering activities to limit the number of staff in a confined area during the same period.
  • Moving activities to another room whenever possible.
  • Altering break times to minimize the number of staff working in close quarters.
• Ensure staff are practising proper hand hygiene and coughing/sneezing etiquette, including:
  • Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN) when hands are not visibly dirty and handwashing isn't available.
  • Avoiding touching their face, mouth, nose and eyes.
  • Coughing or sneezing into a tissue, then immediately disposing of the tissue and washing their hands. If a tissue is not available, they should cough or sneeze into their elbow, not their hands.
• Additional glove use for COVID-19 transmission mitigation is not required. If staff are using gloves, they should be changed after every interaction and when changing tasks. Hand hygiene must be performed between every glove change (hand sanitizer or hand washing with soap and water).
• All workers, especially those in constant contact with the public, should self-monitor for symptoms and use the Government of Saskatchewan's self-assessment tool for COVID-19 and follow the subsequent directions. Facilities should review their employee illness policies to ensure staff are able to remain home when ill (as is required).
• Stagger staff arrival and departure times, lunch times, breaks and meetings to reduce the number of individuals in one place at a given time. Designate lockers and storage spaces for individual workers
• Ensure staff are adequately trained in new policies and protocols.
• Workplaces are encouraged to have plans in place for increased worker absences due to illness or isolation.
• Workplaces should have a workplace illness policy. If policies do not exist or are not in line with COVID-19 recommendations, workplaces should ensure the following:
  • Sick employees should stay home or are sent home from work if symptoms present.
  • Sick employees use the Government of Saskatchewan's self-assessment tool for COVID-19 and follow the subsequent directions.
  • If an employee has gone home sick, their work areas should be cleaned and disinfected.