Canadians playing hockey internationally want exemption from quarantine rules

As everyone knows, the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown everyone through a loop, but now it is causing Canadian hockey players playing internationally even more headache than it probably should.

Former NHLer Daniel Winnik is currently playing professionally overseas with the Geneve-Servette HC of the Swiss National League, and he decided to sign a petition asking that Canadian hockey players returning home from overseas would not have to follow Canada's quarantine rules.

"I know there's a bunch of 'Snowbirds' who go to Florida and southern places to get away from winter," Winnik said. "We've got guys that come over here to work. Obviously, all of us would love to be playing in North America in the NHL or AHL but the reality is we couldn't get jobs there. We came overseas to be able to provide for our families. We're not here on vacation. We're making a living for our families."

The petition is on change.org, and it states that Canadians playing hockey internationally are there «for their livelihood» and «putting these individuals and their families into the same category as travellers/vacationers would be unfair.»

It already has over 7,800 signatures with a goal of at least 10,000. The Public Health Agency of Canada has recognized the petition, but said the border measures are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 cases.

Since the quarantine requires a three-day hotel stay, many of these players find it unfair to have to pay to get back to their families.

"It's a lot of money," Winnik said. "They're asking people to pay to be able to return home to where they're from."

Even though it is unlikely Canada budges, it is at least worth a shot coming from Winnik and his colleagues.

Source: CBC Sports

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