BOSTON — The governors in the six New England states and in New Jersey have signed a regional pact suspending all interstate youth hockey games through the end of the year due to rising coronavirus cases.
In a joint statement, the governors of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut and New Jersey said all interstate competitions for public and private schools and youth hockey will be suspended starting Nov. 14 and lasting until at least Dec. 31.
“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 governors said in a joint statement.
The ban on interstate tournaments does not apply to collegiate, professional, or U.S. national team hockey activities.
Massachusetts added more restrictions for youth hockey last week, including allowing only teams based in the state and players who live in the state to compete.
Youth hockey in Massachusetts resumed on Nov. 6 following a two-week ban, after the state Department of Public Health connected more than 100 cases of COVID-19 to indoor hockey games.
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