CFL permits reopening of every team facility

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

The Canadian Football League has given the green light for teams across the league to reopen their doors amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CFL sent a memo to clubs Wednesday morning on a first and very limited phase of a return to training.

The letter “hereby permits the reopening of your fitness facilities for your local players to participate in individual training and receive medical treatment, under the following conditions: (1) The reopening of your facility is permitted by your local provincial and municipal public health authorities; and (2) Your club implements and complies with a “Return to Train” protocol for your fitness facility, which contains provisions at least as stringent as the provisions of the attached guidance document.”

The guidance document, goes on to list very stringent directions for things such as hand washing, cleaning of facilities, and booking of appointments. The CFL continue to study various scenarios while monitoring government directives.

Commissioner Randy Ambrosie cancelled the national CFL combine and shutdown facilities in March as the coronavirus pandemic really hit full force. The COVID-19 crisis has put the league on pause and the earliest the CFL might return to play – for a shortened but meaningful season – is September due to COVID-19.