Return to Sport

 December 28 updates to province-wide restrictions | December 17 Return to Sport webinar on provincial restrictions | Provincial Order FAQ

FAQs | Sport activity chart

Sport is returning to British Columbia in accordance with the B.C. Restart Plan. At the request of the Province of B.C., viaSport has led the creation of a set of guidelines on how to resume sport while operating safely during this pandemic – the Return to Sport Guidelines. As outlined in B.C.’s Restart Plan, sport activities can resume in accordance with the viaSport Return to Sport Guidelines and public health protocols. We are working on guidance in line with the newest province wide-restrictions.

Recreation, leisure and individual training activities and facilities considerations

During the return to sport process, viaSport’s role is to focus on the safe return of participants to sport activities in B.C. This continues to be our number-one priority. This is the current Public Health Order: Gathering and Events released on December 2, 2020. For updates on facilities please contact your municipality, BC Recreation and Parks Association or Recreation Facilities Association of BC.

For sport organizations, it is important to ensure facility plans can support aspects of your sport-specific plans. Visit Recreation Facilities Association of BC for additional resources and contact dan@rfabc.com if you wish to have feedback on your sport-specific plan.  

Sport organizations can/should:

• Develop sport-specific return to sport guidelines
• Local sport organizations (LSOs) can adapt and/or adopt approved sport-specific guidelines, and it is recommended to have these approved by their own boards before resuming activities
• Work with your insurance provider and/or legal council on risk mitigation
• Maintain communications with your stakeholders around the status of return to sport plans
• Consult your local health authority on their plans or guidelines for sport
• Connect with your facility operators and municipalities to understand the protocols they have in place, as outlined at the bottom of this page
• Prepare materials that remind your members of public health guidelines, like posters on social distancing and hygiene
• Encourage your members to remain active while enjoying the outdoors and facilities that have opened in a safe manner

Liability protection announcement: The Province has now acted to extend COVID-19 liability coverage to for-profit organizations through the COVID-19 Related Measures Act (CRMA). The regulation protects people (paid or volunteer) from proceedings for civil liability for damages resulting from transmission or exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. The regulation is retroactive to January 1, 2020 and will remain in force unless and until the CRMA is repealed. This addresses the liability concerns of private LSOs. Read the regulation here.