Canucks pursue quarantine protocols
Many are here. Some are on their way. Some are waiting.
That's how Vancouver Canucks players are addressing time-sensitive novel coronavirus pandemic quarantine protocols in advance of training camp that is projected to start Jan. 3 at Rogers Arena.
What may hold up the process for some are firm, family plans. For others, there's uncertainty that COVID-19 concerns could keep camp starting as scheduled and be followed by a 56-game season on Jan. 13. The NHL and the players' association continue to work at resolving all return-to-play issues before a possible approval vote by the end of the week.
In the interim, the clock is ticking.
For the Canucks' 16 U.S. and European players and prospects, meeting the federal 14-day quarantine upon re-entering Canada means starting the protocol here on Dec. 20. For those flying commercial to Vancouver from another province, they must start an NHL-mandated, eight-day quarantine on Boxing Day. Missing the targets would mean missing the start of camp, where coach Travis Green will set a high, early tempo.
“We put it onto the players — we can't tell them what to do,” Canucks assistant general manager Chris Gear said Tuesday. “We basically said here are the options of when to come back and some want to know that this (camp and season) is actually happening. They're waiting for the league to confirm it before booking travel.”
The Canucks believed previous quarantine approval from the provincial government and health officials — they were in place during Phase 2 of the return to play in advance of their July camp — would satisfy any current safety concerns.
In Phase 2, three groups trained and skated and didn't mix with other groups in Rogers Arenas or in isolation.
One group was international players, another consisted of those flying here from another province and the third was those driving to Vancouver from another province combined with those who resided in the province.
However, a Jan. 3 camp start could mean players from Europe and the U.S. may opt to spend Christmas at home.
The Canucks had asked the provincial government that if they had to do a single group quarantine — local players mixed with internationals into that quarantine — could that work? The government said it wouldn't recommend that plan, but there wasn't any reason why it wouldn't approve it. It would be minimizing exposure to the local community and increase the risk only for local players.
It was a backup plan and a last-case scenario, because you can't run a proper camp with three groups.