Update from the BC Ministry of Health, December 14, 2020

On December 14th, 2020, the BC Ministry of Health issued an update that allows low intensity group exercise to resume with an updated COVID-19 Safety Plan. A link to the pdf is Here.

Even though Aikido is non-competitive and does not fall within ViaSport’s purview, BCAF’s “Returning to Aikido” guidelines were based on those created by Judo BC. Consequently, the BCAF Executive has concluded that Aikido best fits the category of “Martial Arts, cheerleading, and gymnastics studios”. This category is not included in the most recent update allowing low-intensity activities.

While it is true that Aikido can be practiced in a low-intensity manner, it is important to remember that breath control is just one of several layers of prevention that include mask wearing, physical distancing, and proper ventilation.

New Orders from the Public Health Officer, December 3, 2020

These new guidelines were just announced yesterday by BC's PHO. Martial arts is included under indoor and outdoor team sports.

Adult: "All indoor and outdoor sports for people 19 years of age and older are suspended."

Youth: "All organized indoor and outdoor sports for people under 19 years of age must follow viaSport's Return to Sport Phase 2 guidance with respect to maintaining physical distance for participants."
We interpret this to mean no contact other than within households.

Here is the link to the webpage for further information Province-wide restrictions.

New Orders from the Public Health Officer, November 23rd

Excerpt from the revised Public Health Orders of November 23rd, 2020

Link here: Province-Wide Restrictions, Athletic Activities

Group indoor fitness activities

Businesses, recreation centres or other organizations that organize or operate high risk indoor group physical activities must suspend the following activities:

Spin classes
Hot yoga
High intensity interval training (HIIT)

Venues that organize or operate other types of indoor group physical activities must suspend them temporarily while new guidance is being developed. These include:

Dance studios
Martial arts

Yoga
Pilates

Strength and conditioning
Cheerleading

Venues must use the new guidance to update and re-post their COVID-19 Safety Plan before resuming operations.

September update - BCAF Returning to Aikido Practice - September 10, 2020

The link to the September update to the BCAF Returning to Aikido Practice guidelines (originally sent out in June)

Link to document here

Six months into the pandemic, viaSport BC has issued guidelines for slowly opening the practices of some amateur sports. Aikido is not a member of viaSport but our practice shares many of the attributes of Judo, which is in viaSport's category of "combative sports" https://www.viasport.ca/sites/default/files/Phase_3_Return_to_Sport_Guidelines_web_09-17-2020.pdf.

The original BCAF document has a new preface and all changes to the suggested protocols are highlighted.

BCAF Returning to Aikido Practice - June 20, 2020

Click on the link here for the BCAF Restart Guidelines pdf (June 2020).

The BCAF Restart Guidelines were sent to all BCAF dojos in June, just as the BC PHO had announced the beginning of phase 3 of the BC Restart Plan.

The BCAF Executive had been researching and distilling the guidelines issued by BC Public Health, viaSport, British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association, WorkSafe BC, and Judo BC. The fruit of this work is now a documented set of guidelines attached for member dojos to consult and adapt to their local requirements.

We hope these guidelines will serve you well. We also understand the task of restarting safely and getting it right can be daunting. As always, your BCAF Executive is here to support you so if you have any questions or require some assistance, please reach out to us.