NEW JERSEY BASED TEAMS–

Under New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, Executive Order 194, effective November 12, prohibits interstate competition. Only those teams based in New Jersey may have competition between teams also based in New Jersey. New Jersey based teams are also prohibited from engaging in competition that would require the New Jersey based team to leave the state.

SPECTATORS – None, by State order
OUT-OF-STATE PLAYERS – Permitted if they are currently on the New Jersey Team roster.
USE OF LOCKERS – Not Permitted, by State order, unless for only handwashing and/or lavatory use. MASK REQUIREMENTS IN GAMES BY PLAYERS – Not required
MASK REQUIREMENTS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER GAMES BY COACHES – Required MASK REQUIREMENTS IN GAMES BY OFFICIALS – Not required

PENNSYLVANIA BASED TEAMS –

Pennsylvanians visiting other states are required to have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to their return to the commonwealth, or to quarantine for 14 days upon return to Pennsylvania. This does NOT apply to people who commute to and from another state for work or medical treatment. The Secretary of Health issued an order requiring anyone who visits from another state to have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to entering the commonwealth.

This makes team travel into and out of Pennsylvania difficult.

SPECTATORS – 1 per player (AAHA Modification)
OUT-OF-STATE PLAYERS – PA Clubs shall remind out-of-State players of the 72 Hour/ 14 Day requirement.
USE OF LOCKERS – Not Permitted, however under review for practices, with social distancing. MASK REQUIREMENTS IN GAMES BY PLAYERS – Required
MASK REQUIREMENTS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER GAMES BY COACHES – Required
MASK REQUIREMENTS IN GAMES BY OFFICIALS – Required – Instructions to follow from RIC

DELAWARE BASED TEAMS –

Will prohibit Delaware youth sports organizations, teams and venues from hosting or participating in tournaments with out-of-state teams, effective at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 1. The order includes a provision prohibiting Delaware teams from traveling across states lines for tournaments. For Delaware teams travel into Pennsylvania, it shall be in accordance with new travel restrictions issued by PA Department of Health.

 
ENFORCEMENT –

The Affiliate will dispatch supervisors and rely on other information sources to verify compliance.

PENALTIES –

Violations of State-required COVID-19 mitigation requirements will be subject to a disciplinary hearing, and verified violations shall subject the Club to penalties, including but not limited to; Club or team season-ending suspension, loss of tournament-bound status not to exceed three (3) years suspension from all AAHA participation of those individuals deemed responsible for the violation(s) for a period not to exceed (3) years.

GAME OFFICIALS –

It is not the responsibility of game officials to enforce the wearing of masks for player personnel, as some may have a medical exemption. However, Coaches are required to wear masks during games and officials shall issue a warning to the coach to wear the mask, if it occurs a second time during the game, issue a bench minor, and third time assess a game misconduct.

All on ice officials should follow best practices and seek proper guidance from local assignors and the Leagues in which they work. In addition to State requirements, implement the following protocols:

• The use of an electronic whistle is highly recommended and, in some states, required effective immediately.
• It is recommend wearing a face covering “gaiter style” when the play is not in motion.
• Confirm with your assignor if the game you are assigned to is a USA Hockey / AAHA Sanctioned Game. NOTE: Not all games operate under the jurisdiction of USA Hockey. Contact the AAHA at Info@aahahockey.org if you have any concerns regarding this matter.
• District RIC may provide additional guidance as needed.

OFFICIATING ASSIGNMENT ISSUES

The following must occur -

1. Clubs must provide assignors with both home and away teams by name, age and level. Clubs have the responsibility of verifying their opponent is a properly USA Hockey registered team. TBA assignments must be resolved at least 48 hours prior
2. Assignors may accept “TBA” assignments as a place-holder, but must not assign officials where both the HOME and AWAY team are not known by name.
3. Assignors should alert the Affiliate if you suspect that a team is attempting to schedule officials for a game that would violate Affiliate and or State requirements.

MASKS –

Masks are required in Pennsylvania and Delaware for players during play. Pennsylvania rules provides for mask medical waiver. We are trying to obtain additional guidance from PA’s Department of Health as to the enforcement or application of the waiver and how it’s administered. It is unknown if Delaware has such an allowance. If a coach meets the requirement of a mask medical exemption, they will be required to wear a face shield in place of the mask.

CONTACT TRACING –

Contact tracing is a function of local, county and state agencies. We encourage our registered participants to cooperate with contact tracers. No one associated with USA Hockey, the AAHA and its member leagues, associations and teams should discourage our player participants and their parents from cooperating with contract tracers.