NJ Joins 6 States In Barring Interstate Youth Hockey In Pandemic

TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey and six other states announced a joint agreement suspending interstate youth hockey competition through at least the end of 2020, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Thursday.

New Jersey, Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, and Massachusetts all have agreed to the suspension, Murphy said, and there are efforts to get additional states to join the agreement, he said.

On Thursday, state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said there have been 14 outbreaks, with more than 70 cases tied to them, in Gloucester, Union, Somerset, Bergen, Morris, Passsaic and Mercer counties.

In addition, she said 33 percent of community outbreaks traced from Oct. 1 to Nov. 1 have been tied to indoor sports.

The executive order Murphy issued on Tuesday said the suspension of interstate youth sports came about after there were 11 confirmed outbreaks among youth and school-aged ice hockey team and associated activities, and more than 100 cases believed to be tied to them.

Updated guidance coming from the state will require coaching staff to strictly enforce social distancing and masking, Persichilli said.

The agreement among the seven states bars competitions for public and private schools and youth hockey beginning Saturday. It does not apply to interstate collegiate, professional, or U.S. national team hockey activities, which will remain subject to existing health and safety protocols and/or restrictions.

"As case numbers increase in many states across the country, it is critical that neighboring states coordinate a regional approach to limit further community spread of the virus," the governor's office said Thursday. "As public health data continues to evolve, the states will reassess the need for continued restrictions on interstate sports activities."

The New Jersey State Interscholastic Association, the governing body for high school sports in New Jersey, said it supports Murphy's decision to suspend interstate competition for indoor sports — a move the NJSIAA made when it announced its return to competition in the fall.

"NJSIAA already had restrictions in place related to interstate competition during the fall, and for the upcoming winter seasons," the association said. "So, while (Monday's) announcement doesn’t alter our current guidelines, it does support our limitations on indoor sports activities."

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