Manitoba's top doctor is hinting strongly that changes to capacity rules are coming before the Winnipeg Jets' next scheduled home game.
Manitoba chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin was asked on Friday about current COVID-19 rules allowing the Jets to play in front of 50 per cent capacity during the current COVID-19 surge.
"Manitobans need to prepare that next week we probably won’t have large gatherings," Roussin said on a day Manitoba set a record with 742 Covid cases reported.
The Jets are scheduled to host the Chicago Blackhawks next Wednesday. Winnipeg's home game against the Minnesota Wild next Monday was called off after the league postponed all 14 games for that date on Friday.
Meanwhile, B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry also left the door open to further capacity reductions at indoor venues. The Vancouver Canucks currently are allowed to play in front of 50 per cent capacity.
"We're assessing these on a day by day basis," Henry said on Friday.
The Jets, Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers currently are allowed to play in front of 50 per cent capacity. The Montreal Canadiens currently could not play in front of any fans after a recent change by the Quebec government.
None of the American NHL teams have any current capacity limits.
