| News
September 1, 2020 – Provincial government update on the COVID-19 pandemic
Here is an update on recent decisions and actions by the Québec government in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Combat sports to resume
The minister for Education and minister responsible for the Status of Women, Isabelle Charest, announced that training and combat sports events will resume as of September 2.
Sparring in the context of training in all combat sports, such as karate, taekwondo, boxing and judo, will resume provided that the plans submitted comply with the recommendations by Public Health officials and are rigorously respected.
Amateur sports’ tournaments continue to be banned until further notice. As for galas for professional boxing and other combat sports, they will be approved on a case-by-case basis, upon request and on presentation of rigorous protocols.
Minister Charest stressed that given the long-term health risks due to COVID-19, each organization will have to make sure to obtain specific consent from participants.
Training will have to be done in groups of a maximum of four people. Close contact with people who are not part of the training will have to be limited. Moreover, the two-metre physical distancing measures will apply at all times, except during warm-ups before the actual combat or match.
Athletes must extra cautious
Given the physical proximity of athletes and the intensity involved in combat sports, Public Health’s special advisor, Dr. Richard Massé, emphasized the fact that athletes must be particularly conscious of their behaviour beyond the practice of their sport.
These athletes must make a commitment to respect the health guidelines at all times and be tested quickly in the event of COVID-19 symptoms.