Minor hockey postponed by coronavirus

On Thursday, the NHLsuspended its season over the COVID-19 pandemic,the Women's World Curling Championship in Prince George, B.C., was called off and the MLBsuspended spring training and pushed back the start of the baseballseason by at least two weeks.

The night before, the NBA pulled the plug on its season. Earlier that day, the World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal were put on ice.

But organizers say minor hockey across eastern Ontario is going ahead, at least for now, with new measures to keep players and coaches safe.

It's year end for many teams, with local, regionaland championship games still scheduled.

The Ottawa East Minor Hockey Association (OEMHA) says it'sgoing ahead with its 2020 March Break tournament this weekend, which includes novice and atom teams travellingfrom as far away as Nunavut, some of whichhave forked over as much as $30,000 to take part.

None of that tournament'sscheduled games is scheduled to take place at Brewer arena. The rink, located across from Carleton University, has been turned into a COVID-19 testing site, thoughit's not yet open.

• Brewer arena to become coronavirus screening centre

Hockey Eastern Ontario says it's not aware of any cancelled games. It says it's following these guidelines put out by Hockey Canadaabout how to keepplayers and coaches healthy.

• No handshakesbetween officials and coaches before games, just a fist bump.
• Players fist bump with hockey gloves oninstead of shaking hands.
• Make soap and/or hand sanitizer available in dressing rooms and hotels.
• Gloves should be worn by staff handling towels or laundry.
• Towels should not be shared on the team bench.
• Players should not share clothing, bar soap or other personal items such as razors.
• All players must have their own water bottles.
• Bottles should be labelled and washed after each practice or game.
• Officials shouldavoid the practice of drinking from the goaltender's water bottle.
• No sharing of water bottles or towels in the penalty box.
• Advise players to try not touch their own mouths or noses.
• Keep players away if they are showing any signs of infectious disease or virus.