B.C. gives NHL green light for in-province games during 2021 season

B.C. has given the green light forNational Hockey League games to be playedin the province during the upcoming 2021 season.

Premier John Horgan made the announcement in a tweet on Sunday.

Horgan said he spoke with Vancouver Canucks owner FrancescoAquilini on Saturday about the plan and noted "enhanced health measures"will be putin place.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said previously thathealth officials from the five Canadian provinces with NHL hockey teamshave been consulting with league officials, but that the decision was ultimately up to the province.

The NHL has released its schedule for a shortened 56-game season for 2021 that includes division realignments to limit team travel amid the pandemic. That new plan includes an all-Canadian North Division.

WATCH | B.C. approves in-province games for 2021 NHL season:

B.C. approves in-province games for 2021 NHL season

4 years ago

Duration 1:33

B.C is now the second province to approve the NHL's COVID-19 safety plans to host games in the province once the season begins on Jan. 13. With three more provinces still to decide, a doctor weighs in about those plans.

The season is set to beginJan. 13.The Canucks' first home gameis set forJan. 20 against the Montreal Canadiens.

On Friday, Alberta was the first province to officially say the NHL can play games in its arenas for the upcoming season.

Safety protocols include daily symptom screenings

Under the NHL's recently announced COVID-19 protocol, every club will have a compliance officer who will be responsible for monitoring and enforcing all safetymeasures. That includes daily symptom screening and temperature checks for players.

Coaches will be required to wear masks during games.Players and personnel will be tested regularly, and not be allowed to leave hotel bubbles when on road trips.

The federal government said it has issued an exemption to the mandatory 14-day quarantine period for NHL players and team staff returning to Canada for training campsunder "national interest grounds."

Instead, modified quarantine procedures for players and team staff entering the country will bedetermined by provincial health authorities, according to league officials.

Adult team sports are currently banned in B.C. as part of COVID-19 health measures.