The California Heat Executive Board (Board) recognizes the ever-changing landscape as it pertains to COVID-19. In response to the August 25, 2021 issuance of the Protocol for Organized Youth Sports: Appendix S (Protocol) by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH), we are adopting the protocol listed in this policy.  By aligning to the LACDPH COVID protocol, we are optimizing the player’s ability to play hockey as long as possible.

The California Heat is a member of the Southern California Amateur Hockey Association (SCAHA). SCAHA is made of many travel clubs within many different counties. As a member of SCAHA, we look to them for guidance to ensure we are in line with the league as a whole. As COVID-19 protocols are different within each county, the SCAHA Executive Board has asked each club in the league to provide their specific COVID-19 protocols to them. SCAHA will post each club’s protocols to the SCAHA website as soon as possible. This will allow every club to be aware of the protocols for the clubs and rinks they will be visiting throughout the season. They have also asked that each club post their specific COVID-19 policy to their website.

The LACDPH Health Officer order mandates that youth sports leagues must do the following:

• When indoors, all participants (players and coaches), regardless of vaccination status, are required to bring and wear masks. Youth sports participants (players and coaches) must wear a face mask even while engaging in physical activity in any indoor setting (this includes while on the ice). Spectators attending indoor events must wear masks.

• COVID testing is required for all non-vaccinated (players and coaches).

• In addition, testing must be performed weekly and results must be available before the competition begins or the athlete or staff member may not be present at the competition

As such, the Board is putting forth the following policy in alignment with the LACDPH Protocol for Youth Sports.