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MAHA Update - November 16th, 2020

By MAHA, 11/16/20, 2:30PM EST

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Governor Whitmer, MDHHS roll out 3-week 'pause' in group gathering activities

November 16th, 2020

To the Members of our Michigan Hockey Community:

On the evening of Sunday, November 15, 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the official rollout of a new Epidemic Order, in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The new policy, imposed by the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS), includes a three-week pause in specified group activities in order to potentially slow the rapidly-rising COVID-19 infection rates.  This three-week pause will take place from Wednesday, November 18th – Tuesday, December 8th, 2020.

Specifically, the new Epidemic Order places a three-week pause on youth and amateur sports activity in Michigan. Furthermore, several categories of recreational facilities, including ice rinks, will be closed during this period.

While we realize that this comes as a major disappointment to our hockey membership, few of us can deny the impact that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had on the progress of our 2020-21 season. Since the start of our season, we have seen reports of positive cases increase at an exponential rate across the state of Michigan. Based on contact tracing considerations, many of our teams have been advised to pause season activities to quarantine, in an effort to prevent continued exposure to the virus. In addition, there have been several cases that have impacted our in-state tournaments and events. Although our association volunteers throughout the state have done a great job, in their efforts to manage and report positive COVID-19 cases as they emerge, the safety and well-being of our statewide membership remains our top priority. With this in mind, the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) will comply with the new MDHHS Epidemic Order.

During the designated three-week pause, all MAHA-sanctioned activity will be postponed. Additional updates will be presented later this week, as they become available. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

The MAHA remains optimistic that we will resume our 2020-21 hockey activity at the conclusion of the three-week pause. With this in mind, please continue to be mindful of group gatherings outside of the rink, and practice risk mitigation strategies as much as possible. Please use good judgment in an effort to keep your family, as well as those around you, safe and healthy. Thank you for your cooperation!