The Prince George Spruce Kings have been shut down by COVID after being informed this week by the Northern Health Authority that several players have tested positive for the virus.
The affected players, coaches, team personnel, billet families and all close contacts of the infected players have been placed into 14-day quarantines and everyone is being asked to watch for symptoms. If symptoms do present, the affected person is required to arrange for a COVID test.
The team has remained in close contact with Northern Health and is following all suggested protocols.
The BCHL head office notified the provincial health office of the positive tests. The Spruce Kings are prepared to follow any further measures from the PHO, based on the results of additional tests and protocols agreed to in the league’s COVID-19 Safety Plan.
No other information was released by the Spruce Kings or the BCHL to protect confidentiality. General manager Mike Hawes has been told by the league not to reveal any other information. The Kings plan to provide an update on the situation as more becomes known.
The Spruce Kings haven’t played a game since November, when the pandemic ended the exhibition season. The players were sent home in early December and returned to the city for the start of January. Provincial health orders have restricted the team to non-contact drills in practice sessions at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.
