An operator of a karate school in Victoria demands a “Dr. Henry of Sport “amid confusion over whether to allow some martial arts to continue amid the latest COVID-19 health regulations.
Richard Mosdell closed his Kenzen Sports Club last week on orders from health inspectors, but said other clubs continue to operate in what he describes as an unclear news industry.
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“It almost seems like some clubs are defying Dr. (Bonnie) Henry’s orders, but in reality they are just confused about what exactly that means,” he said.
“I don’t think anyone is trying to circumvent the rules.”
On Wednesday, the province updated its statewide restrictions to include a ban on all physical activities in indoor groups, including martial arts, gymnastics and cheerleading.
Provincial health officer Henry clarified the order on Friday, saying that all of the indoor group’s physical activity, “whether exercise or fitness, is currently suspended,” and that new guidelines would be available by the end of next week.
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Judo BC is one of the provincial sports organizations that continues to operate in apparent contravention of order.
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President Donna Hanson told Global News Sunday that she had received clear instructions from viaSport, the organization that regulates amateur sports in BC, that judo could continue.
“We’re not confused at all,” she said.
“We were allowed to continue our sport … Judo is a regulated sport by viaSport … and we had the express instruction that we can continue.”
The same guidance document that bans martial arts also states that sports games, competitions, and exercises can continue with restrictions.
According to Hanson, judo clubs continue to operate in phase 3 of viaSport’s Return to Play program, which means no travel or competitions, no intensive training, a cohort model and other safety precautions.
Hanson assumes that Henry’s order only applies to sports that are not regulated under the ViaSport umbrellas.
“We follow all established guidelines and do this successfully. So far, we have not had anyone positive for COVID on any of the BC tests. “
Global News asked viaSport to clarify who the order is for, but received no response through publication.
A health department spokesman initially referred to the website that lists martial arts as one of the suspended sports, but said they would check with Henry’s team for more information.
Karate BC is also a viaSport partner but has advised its members not to operate under the new restrictions.
Mosdell said if his club is allowed to operate, he wants to know.
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The confusion is precisely why the province needs to appoint a public spokesperson to deal regularly with sports-related COVID issues, he said.
“This contact person, this one source, be it the president of viaSport, or the president of Sport BC, or someone from provincial health,” he said.
“It’s really frustrating because we want to be safe and if there can be a very clear message,” Yes, you have to stay closed until December 7th or January 1st, great, then we can deal with it. “
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