ONTARIO– Make it make sense. 

On Monday morning, albeit later than the scheduled time of 11:00 a.m., Doug Ford and the Ontario Government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, announced the latest wave of restrictions as the province attempts to keep case counts from surging as the Omicron variant continues to spread. 

Among the list of restrictions set forth by the Ontario Government, which is described as a modified Step Two in the province’s reopening plan from 2021, was the closure of sport and recreational facilities. While outdoor establishments are permitted to open with restrictions and spectator occupancy limitations, indoor facilities are to close for at least 21 days as of Wednesday, January 5th. 

Select professional and elite amateur sport leagues is a broad category, with many leagues across the province having justification to be included in the list, especially on the elite amateur sport leagues end of things. In terms of hockey, the Canadian Hockey League is permitted to continue playing, but the OUA is a no-go. However, most of the players that currently play in the OUA have come from the CHL. 

Make. It. Make. Sense.