Quietly, but surely, athletes will be able to resume their favorite activities this summer. In her deconfinement plan, Minister Isabelle Charest announced good news for the most popular outdoor sports, whose competitions will resume on June 11. According to the codification of the levels of Quebec, others will however have to be patient.
• Read also: Deconfinement of team sports: matches will be authorized in the yellow zone from mid-June
So soccer and baseball fans can breathe a sigh of relief. As of June 11 in the yellow level, both children and adults will be able to push the ball or hit the ball in a match, as these are “short contact” outdoor sports involving 25 players or less.
“This announcement responds to a large part of the mass of sportsmen for the summer. It was our planning. We will be able to prepare for our season and launch our activities in mid-June as we hoped, ”said Baseball Quebec general manager Maxime Lamarche.
“I especially retain in this announcement the essential message which concerns the practice of our sport. We can count 25 people between the lines. Baseball will therefore be compliant, ”added the leader of the provincial body with approximately 30,000 players. Moreover, he observed a 30% increase in enrollments in the initiation program for children aged 4 to 7 years.
At the provincial soccer federation, we would like to see a rapid transition to more permissive zones, either yellow or green, in order to encompass the metropolitan region. This represents 80% of the 115,000 players.
“It would have been a good thing to get more reductions in the orange zone,” said Soccer Quebec general manager Mathieu Chamberland after his numerous meetings at the end of the day. The greater Montreal metropolitan area will lag behind the other regions. But we have a clear government game plan. We now know the work that awaits us. “
Patience…
While the status quo reigns in color-coded gyms and training rooms, combat sports enthusiasts will still need to be patient. At least, until June 25, when they cross their fingers that Quebec turns green.
The resumption of indoor sports activities will be directly linked to the color coding of the regions.
For indoor sports, the practice of up to two people is allowed, but not the fights. They will be allowed when passing through the green zone.
“We have made repeated requests to obtain a deadline. By the nature of our sport, we understand that we are not the first to be deconfined, but we want to get answers, ”said Judo Quebec president Patrick Kearney.
“This announcement is a small gain, he continued. We have a return date that would be at the end of June. It is satisfying. ”
Look on fall
According to the Dr Eric Litvak, Deputy Strategic Medical Advisor for Public Health, the medium-term future will depend on two-dose vaccination coverage.
“It will be a critical element for the rest of things,” he said.
- Remember that in red and orange areas, contactless activities are permitted while respecting physical distancing.
- In the green zone, group activities involving a maximum of 50 people are permitted.
- The organization of competitions and tournaments in outdoor sports without contact, in front of spectators, will be allowed from June 25, regardless of the color code of the regions.
“We are happy and reassured. It’s a start, because we can play matches. Now, we are crossing our fingers so that all players in Quebec can fall at least in the yellow zone as of June 11. ” –Maxime Lamarche, DG Baseball Quebec
“We now know where we are going. We got answers to our questions about the game, the mask and the tournaments. ” –Mathieu Chamberland, DG Soccer Quebec
“It’s encouraging because the situation is changing. We remain optimistic. The football season begins in mid-August. My challenge is to do everything so that there are matches on the field in a safe environment. ” –Mathieu Joyal, DG Football Quebec
“In the short term, we are happy, because the athletes will be back on the mats. We start from afar. About 80% of our members have been off since October. ” –Patrick Kearny, President Judo Quebec
“The next wave of easing is scheduled for late August or fall. It is unlikely that the rules will be changed during the summer. Everything will depend on how the situation develops. There are still unpredictable elements, including variants, which could change what is happening. ” –Dr Éric Litvak, Deputy Strategic Medical Advisor for Public Health
