The bad times are back

SAINT JOHN - New COVID-19 guidelines for Saint John Sea Dogs home games were released on Wednesday.

The news comes a couple days after the provincial government introduced a mandatory order that will come into place late Friday night in an effort to reduce the spread of the new variant. One of the protocols included in the order is limiting capacity for Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Maritime Junior Hockey League games in the province to 50%.

Here's what Saturday's Sea Dogs home game - the team's final contest before the holiday break - will look like:

• All patrons entering TD Station must be double vaccinated and have a valid government ID.
• Masks must be worn at all times.
• Social distancing must be maintained at all times. This includes a revised seating plan.
• All concessions will be closed.
• The pedway will be closed 1 1/2 hours before and 1 1/2 hours following the game.
• No one will be permitted in the lobby except to enter and exit the building.

According to the team, "the revised seating plan will have seats sectioned off and social distanced. All fans will be required to socially distance from those outside of their groups, this means one row to the front and behind, and three seats in between each group.

"Ushers will be available to aid in seating, and you will be seated on a first come, first serve basis, not based on the seats on your tickets. The only exception being those that require accommodation for mobility issues and disabilities. If you are concerned about seating, we strongly suggest arriving early to select your seats."

While no new tickets will be sold for Saturday's game, all who have already purchased seats will be permitted into the building.

These new guidelines do not impact Friday's game at TD Station, which will be played before the new rules come into place.

The Moncton Wildcats also announced plans for their home game on Saturday. Wildcats season ticket members will have to repurchase tickets for the game and will be credited at a later date. Unlike TD Station, concessions will be open at Avenir Centre.

The Acadie-Bathurst Titan do not play any home games before the Christmas break and did not announce any new guidelines on Wednesday.

In Nova Scotia, where capacity limitations will return on Friday, the Halifax Mooseheads rescheduled their Friday home game to Thursday, allowing them to play under "normal" circumstances. The move is not sitting well Premier Tim Houston.

The Halifax Mooseheads are moving ahead with a plan to switch one of their home game dates to avoid reduced gathering limits set for Friday. https://t.co/2Kvh21zVzJ

— CTV Atlantic (@CTVAtlantic) December 15, 2021

In other COVID news:

• The NHL seems to be getting closer to a disaster point with more and more players testing positive.
• A Quebec Remparts player has been placed into isolation after a positive COVID-19 test.
• The OHL's Erie Otters have suspended all team activities after 13 players tested positive.
• Wednesday's Kitchener - Owen Sound game has been postponed "out of an abundance of caution." Thursday's Sudbury - Barrie game has also been postponed.
• Beginning Saturday, the OHL's 17 Ontario based franchises will only be able to operate at 50% capacity.

This is all just great news. So, so great.

Here's hoping once boosters start going into more arms and children become fully vaccinated things will calm down again.