Hello ARL Captains and Players:
In light of the recommended guidelines from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) with respect to COVID-19 (coronavirus), the ARL is considering every safeguard to ensure the safety of the participants, officials, volunteers and fans who take part in our great game. As a result, for the ARL playoffs and Championship games, we are asking teams to replace the traditional postgame handshake with a fist pump (gloves on).
Despite reports of the risk being low for contracting COVID-19 to the general public in Canada, we are doing our due diligence in communicating the following information/recommendations from the Public Health Agency of Canada:
- Proper hygiene can help reduce the risk of infection or spreading infection to others:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the washroom and when preparing food
- use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
- When coughing or sneezing:
- cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand
- dispose of any tissues you have used as soon as possible in a lined waste basket and wash your hands afterwards
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
- Clean the following high-touch surfaces frequently with regular household cleaners or diluted bleach (1 part bleach to 9 parts water):
- Toys
- Toilets
- Phones
- Electronics
- Door handles
- Bedside
As a league we should all be diligent in working together to get through this unpredictable and challenging period.
We will advise of any changes to this procedure.
Thank you,
The ARL Committee