Canada approves NHL plan to play in country amid coronavirus

Canada has approved a plan from the National Hockey League and will allow teams to play in Canada when the league begins a new playoff season during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report from The Associated Press.

Whether play would resume in Canada had been in doubt given coronavirus restrictions in that country. 

The U.S.-Canada border has been closed to nonessential travel, and Canada requires people entering the country to quarantine for 14 days through at least July 21.

Canada is providing an exemption to that rule to allow play to resume.

The NHL aims to resume games without spectators in late July or August, while training camps are slated to open beginning in July.

Canada’s chief public health officer, Theresa Tam, said protocols such as quarantining and regular testing would be implemented for the league.

Ten sporting venues spanning three Canadian cities are contenders to serve as the “hub” cities for the playoffs, which will include 24 teams. 

Players in each city will be expected to isolate themselves away from the public to prevent further spread of the virus.