On Sunday night, all 10 nations participating at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships entered the bubble in Edmonton, Alberta. All teams will enter a four-day quarantine and testing period before any practices, or games can happen.

The IIHF, in coordination with the Alberta Health Services, the Alberta government, and tournament organizers decided it was best for the 2021 World Juniors to be held in a bubble environment in order to keep players, staff, officials, and organizers safe from COVID-19. During the four-day quarantine period, players and staff will have to fill out a health questionnaire every 12 hours and they will be tested daily. After five negative COVID-19 tests, and four-days in isolation, players will be able to gather with their teammates and coaching staff to practice, but they will be required to only interact with their own teams and not others for three more days.

Full bubble life will begin on December 20th with the start of exhibition games set to go until December 23rd, and then the tournament gets underway on Christmas Day.

Players, staff, officials, and all other staff within the bubble must stay in the secure zone which includes the hotel, arena, and practice rink. If anyone leaves the secure zone, they will not be allowed to re-enter and will be sent home. Everyone in the bubble must wear a mask at all times, the only exceptions will be during games, practices on-ice, physical activities and while eating. Players must wear masks even when participating in light warm ups and stretches.

There will be no handshakes between captains, and officials prior to the game, and there will also be no exchange of pennants. Following the game, there will be no handshakes between teams.

To keep everyone safe, the locker rooms, benches, and fitness equipment are disinfected regularly.

The 2021 World Juniors will begin on Christmas Day, with the first game coming at 2 pm ET/12 pm MT (local time) between Switzerland and Slovakia.

Source: IIHF

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