Mandatory Vaccination Policy

This policy applies to all players, coaches, officials and volunteers 12 years of age and over. Additionally, BNB is requiring any coaches or volunteers working with players under the age of 12 must wear a mask at all times, including during practices and games, when physical distancing can not be maintained.

Other recommended mitigation efforts include masking in common areas, continuing to wash or disinfect equipment, keeping attendance records of participants and using passive screening measures. Operational plans are no longer required to be approved by BNB, but we will continue to consult with member groups as needed.

Please consult the following documents for information from the GNB Sport Branch:
ENGLISH
FRENCH


*Note: The above link(s) will be reviewed and the below information will be updated ASAP*

Vaccine Requirements:
 
Vaccines are the safest and most effective way to avoid the worst outcomes of COVID-19 and are now mandated by the province of New Brunswick for participation in sporting activities and events. Member groups (Minor Associations, Clubs, and Training Groups) are required to verify the vaccination status (including medical exemptions) of all members aged 12 or over before they are allowed to participate in any activities. This includes all players, coaches, officials and volunteers.
 
For regularly scheduled member groups (practices, training groups, etc.):

• Member Groups are responsible for checking the vaccination status of their players, coaches and volunteers.
• Member Groups may delegate the authority to check vaccination status of their players to any of their coaches or volunteers.
• Coaches may check status of players once and keep a record for subsequent sessions.
• Once verified, coaches are not required to check vaccination status at each practice. Players, coaches and volunteers should have a copy of their proof of vaccination even after it has been verified.

 
For Games:

• Hosting coaches (or a designated volunteer) must have a record of (or confirm the vaccination status of) their players, visiting players, coaches, officials, minor officials and any other volunteers.
• If using a facility which allows spectators, hosting coaches (or a designated volunteer) must check the vaccination status of all spectators.
• Any participant/spectators unable to show proof of vaccination will not be permitted entry. 

 
For Tournaments:

• Hosting coaches (or a designated volunteer) must check the vaccination status of their players, visiting players, coaches, officials, minor officials and any other volunteers once at the beginning of the tournament and may use that record for subsequent games.
• If using a facility which allows spectators, hosting coaches (or a designated volunteer) must check the vaccination status of all spectators when they arrive.
• Any participants/spectators unable to show proof of vaccination will not be permitted entry. 

 
Extra precautionary measures for working with U11 players and younger:
 
Covid-19 vaccination has not yet been approved for players born in 2010 or later, therefore extra mitigation measures in addition to mandatory proof of vaccination are required for coaches, volunteers and spectators working with these age groups including:

• Coaches must wear masks at all times (including coaching during practices and games)
• Spectators must be masked at all times
• Rule Modifications
  • Team seating area should be extended as much as possible to allow for 2m spacing between players when not competing or 1m if players are masked on the bench.
  • Each team shall keep a “substitution chair” 2m from the scorer’s table.  If multiple substitutes are entering the game, one sub sits in the chair as an indicator to officials, with the remaining subs entering directly from the bench. Substitutes may signal to, but not approach the scorer’s table.

 
"Green Phase" Changes:
 
The province of New Brunswick moved to the Green Phase of recovery on July 30, 2021 and the mandatory order is no longer in effect. As a result, minor associations, clubs, teams and groups are not required to have operational plans that are approved by Basketball New Brunswick, although we are able to consult should a facility require one. Recommendations in effect:

• Active screening is no longer required (players must still self-screen at home or only enter a facility if they aren't experiencing symptoms and pass the posted screening questions).
• Capacity limits are set by the facility.
• Attendance records recommended but not required (unless required by a facility).

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Additional information will be posted and shared with our member groups as it become available. Thank you for your patience as we work through this process.