The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) has suspended its season.
The league announced late Thursday that the Canadian Junior Hockey League, which the SJHL is affiliated with, has cancelled all games and hockey-related activity until further notice.
It said the move was made due to the “continued threat of the global COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic as well as the potential exposure and contamination of its players, team staff members, on and off-ice officials, volunteers and fans.”
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Professional and amateur sporting events in Canada and across North America are suspending play over concerns of the coronavirus outbreak.
The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) is bucking that trend.
In a statement released Thursday afternoon, the league said the season will go on.
“The Saskatchewan Jr. Hockey League will currently continue its season as planned,” SJHL president Bill Chow said in the statement.
“The SJHL has provided its teams with several precautionary health advisories to follow regarding the coronavirus as well as the flu.”
Chow said if higher levels of government or hockey administration issued restrictions, the league will re-evaluate its position.
The SJHL is currently in the first round of its playoffs.
A number of leagues, including the NHL and NBA, have suspended its seasons due to concerns over COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
The WHL has also suspended its season.
Saskatchewan confirmed its first presumptive case of COVID-19 on Thursday.
The province said the patient, who is in their 60s, had recently travelled to Egypt.
Concerned about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:
Health officials say the risk is very low for Canadians, but they caution against travel to affected areas (a list can be found here). If you do travel to these places, they recommend you self-monitor to see whether you develop symptoms and if you do, to contact public health authorities.
Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing – very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease.
To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. And if you get sick, stay at home.
For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.
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