On November 19, 2020, Badminton Alberta received clarification from our provincial funding agency SPAR (Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation) / Alberta Health.
It is the opinion of Alberta Health that for badminton clubs and facilities offering possible court rentals – private lessons are the only permissible activity, as long as participants can maintain a minimum of 2 metres distances from each other at all times. Therefore, a coach could have multiple private lessons in a day, but they would need to be at different times with each athlete.
New public health measures from Alberta Health were introduced in an effort to limit the spread and potential transmission of COVID-19. During this time, badminton clubs and community groups should be emphasizing that a break is necessary to reduce the number of cases in the province and should not be looking for gaps to find ways to play.
Additionally, doubles play is permitted only where the participants are all members are of the same household.
Badminton Alberta strongly recommends that the following activities are prohibited at this time:
- Group lessons or practice
- Leagues & Ladders for doubles and mixed doubles
- Formal competitions/social gatherings of any kind
Badminton Alberta continues to work with SPAR and Alberta Health to provide more clarity on the announcement. Our association will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
To learn more about the enhanced public health measures, please visit: https://open.alberta.ca/publications/cmoh-order-37-2020-2020-covid-19-response#summary