State Temporarily Pauses Indoor Ice-skating Operations for Two Weeks

BOSTON — Due to rising cases of COVID-19 connected to indoor ice hockey, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued a new public-health order prohibiting indoor ice rinks and ice-skating facilities from operating from Oct. 23 to Nov. 7.

This order is in response to multiple COVID-19 clusters occurring at rinks throughout the state following games, practices, and tournaments. Neighboring states, including New Hampshire, have enacted similar temporary restrictions regarding indoor ice hockey.

There have been at least 30 clusters of COVID-19 associated with organized ice-hockey activities involving residents from more than 60 municipalities in Massachusetts. Each of these included two or more confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases, totaling 108 confirmed cases.

This pause will allow for the development of stronger COVID-19 protocols to further protect players, families, coaches, arena staff, and other participants, as well as communities surrounding hockey rinks.

Current protocols include limitations on the number of people allowed in an arena, social distancing, and other precautions. College and professional programs are exempt from this order.