Hoping for the best
Quebec, Manitoba officials think NHL could develop plan for safe return to play
Quebec’s premier and Manitoba’s top doctor are expressing optimism about a potential NHL plan to stage a 2020-21 season during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Quebec Premier Francois Legault said Wednesday the province’s public health measures shouldn’t impact a resumption of activities for the Montreal Canadiens.
Legault said he’s had discussions with Canadiens owner Geoff Molson, and the premier added he’s confident the NHL has the financial ability to put together measures that would protect teams as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.
“I think the stakes are more on the side of what concessions the players will make on their salaries,” Legault said. “As far as health standards are concerned, we managed to do it this summer (with all teams in secure zones in Edmonton and Toronto), so I think it will be possible to do it from mid-January.”
Manitoba chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin doesn’t see the NHL resuming play as a big risk to the public.
“The protocols that they have in place, the frequent testing, the bubble format that they have really possess very minimal risk to the public,” he said.
“Certainly, there is risk at the business level, a single case that develops could have a big impact on the team or the league. But as far as the risk to the public the protocols that are in place makes that risk very, very minimal.”
However, Manitoba acting deputy chief provincial public health officer Dr. Jazz Atwal noted there is still work to be done.
“It’s not just done locally, it’s done nationally as well,” Atwal said. “We are determining is it a reasonable, safe return-to-play program. There is still discussions on that right across the five provinces that have teams that are specifically involved.
“I don’t have a yes/no answer in relation to if it’s going to happen but again work is being done on that as well.”