COVID-19 Ice Rink Guidelines and Procedures

1. Roseville Ice Arena & John Rose Oval
2. Oscar Johnson Ice Arena
3. Charles M. Schulz Highland Arena

 All members of the association are expected to abide by the policies and procedures of individual ice arenas as they pertain to players, coaches and spectators.  It is your responsibility to determine and abide by the current policies and procedures at the ice arena that you are visiting.  All individuals and families entering the ice arena understand that they do so at their own risk.  

 At the Rink

1. Players or coaches with any risk factors or illnesses should not participate in any on-ice activity. Any players, coaches or spectators exhibiting symptoms or signs of an illness should not be in the facility at any point.

2. Masks/face coverings are mandated throughout the State of Minnesota in all indoor areas accessible to the public and this applies to all RAYHA activities.  Masks/face coverings are not required to be worn during on-ice activities. 

3. Players should arrive at the rink no more than 15 minutes before the start of on-ice activities.  Players arriving earlier than 15 minutes before their start time should wait outside of the facility and be socially distanced from others (at least six feet).

4. In accordance with Minnesota Hockey guidelines, there are no activities allowed at the rink prior to practices or games.

5. Players age 11 and older should be dropped off at the rink and picked up afterward for all practices.  Locker rooms will be available with social distancing and masks.

6. Players age 8-10 should also be dropped off at the rink and picked up afterward for all practices.  These players should arrive at the rink fully-dressed (including skates and skate guards) if they are not able to do so without parent assistance.  Exceptions may be made for goalies, who may need to put on additional equipment at the rink.  Coaches, Board Members, and Level Directors will be available to assist players with skate tying if you choose not to use walk-able skate guards; however, we strongly encourage the use of these products.  Locker rooms will be available with social distancing measures in place and masks are required.

7. Parents/guardians of players age 8 and older should not be in the arena during warm up skates or practices.  

8. Players age 7 and under are allowed one parent/guardian in the rink to assist with equipment issues before and during practices.  These players should still arrive fully-dressed including skates and skate guards.

9. For those Players age 7 and under for warm ups/games, parents should only enter the arena as the players are taking the ice and should leave immediately after the game ends.

10. At games, no more than two individuals for each player may attend.  They should also socially distance from other households and wear masks the entire time.

11. Families should provide the coach/team manager with accurate contact information in the event of an emergency while the player is at the arena.

12. Whenever possible, players should use the restroom at home prior to leaving for the rink in an effort to limit bathroom use at the facility.

13. Players should bring their own rehydration liquids to the rink in clearly marked or labeled containers with the player’s identity. The container should be re-sealable. Players should NOT plan on refilling their containers at the rink.

On-Ice Activities for Practices, Clinics, and Tryouts

1. Within the program, consistent pods of the same staff, volunteers and participants will be created with a maximum number of 25 people in each pod. Ice rinks will be allowed to have two pods of 25 people or less at a time with no mixing between the groups.

2. Players need to maintain as much separation as possible during practices. Whenever possible, coaches should be promoting social distancing on the ice, while recognizing that there may be times of close contact by players.

3. Use of player benches during practices should be avoided.

4. Coaches should keep players active and engaged at all times. Players should not leave the ice during a practice unless absolutely necessary.

5. Each coach and on-ice helper counts toward the number of people allowed on the ice as stipulated by the MDH.

6. Contact between players should be reduced as much as possible.

7. Coaches should avoid talking face-to-face with players, as well as avoid contact with players whenever possible. Physical contact may be necessary when assisting a young player or a player with a disability (helping up or adjusting equipment), but whenever possible, coaches should provide assistance without physical contact.

8. Prior to the completion of the ice time, players should be excused from the rink one by one. Players should not be instructed or asked to participate in picking up pucks or other equipment from the ice.

9. There should be no spitting by any player or coach at any time inside the arena, including on the ice surface.

10. Coaches must be wearing masks at all times before, during and after practice. Players are not required to wear masks while on the ice for team activities.
    

After On-Ice Activities are Completed

1. No on or off ice interaction (socializing, team meetings, dryland activities) should occur following the conclusion of practice. Players should remove skates and helmets and leave the premises immediately following the end of practice.

2. Players should vacate the arena immediately to allow for the next user group to enter and should get undressed in the car or at home.

3. At Roseville Ice Arena, parents should exit from the side doors leading from the arena immediately to the parking lot.

4. The parents or person assigned to pick up players at the arena must be punctual. Players should not have to wait for a ride.

5. While at home, players should clean and disinfect gear after each use.

1. A maximum of two spectators per player are allowed for games. If arena or MDH guidelines are stricter, teams must adhere to the arena/MDH policy. Spectators should be physically distanced at all times. Cloth face coverings are required at all times inside the facility. 
2. At the scorer’s/announcer’s box, best practice would be that one assigned adult will be responsible for clock and  scorebook with nobody else allowed in the area. Masks should be worn by off ice officials at all times. 
3. Whenever possible, resurfacing of the ice sheet should only take place before or after a game. During any intermissions, players and coaches should go to an area where social distancing can be maintained. 
4. There should be no more than two coaches allowed in the bench area during games. Coaches on benches must be wearing masks. One coach should monitor players on the bench and keeping them physically distanced. 
5. Coaches should figure out a system that maximizes physical distance between players on the bench during game play, stoppages, intermissions, etc. Space outside the bench area (next to bench) should be utilized whenever possible.
6. During a stoppage of play caused by a save, the goalie should drop the puck on the ice for the official to retrieve.
7. There should be no pregame or postgame handshakes. Teams should honor each other after the game with a stick salute. 
8. There should be no pregame or postgame huddles or post goal gatherings on the ice. 9. A two official system shall be used for games at all levels.