PLEA

Diafol

Well-Known Member
#62
I think its definitely more the "newbies / Saturday night out crowd" than STH / regulars.

However:
Do masks also apply to rink staff, as there were a few who didn't bother last night.
 

davew

Active Member
#63
A few camera shots of people being escorted out might be the only way to severely reduce the instances of non compliance. A good jumbotron message highlighting the consequences such as player(s) having to isolate, ofiicials and other off ice staff being unavailable, games being postponed or cancelled as a result let alone the consequences for people you are sitting near to etc. For me one or two games of drinks and food only in the bar/cafe and not in the arena might also wake people up to the reality - these restrictions will be in place for the whole season not just a couple more weeks!
 

august04 2.0

Well-Known Member
#65
I think its definitely more the "newbies / Saturday night out crowd" than STH / regulars.

However:
Do masks also apply to rink staff, as there were a few who didn't bother last night.
Agree with this 100%. The vast majority of “regulars” are wearing masks, as they’ve built up friendships at the rinks over many years and care about their fellow fans and friends in many cases. Then you’ve got groups of younger people on the pop, who don’t give a shit quite frankly. That's where the problem lies. And those casual punters won’t give a toss if the arena is shut down either, they’ll just find somewhere else to get bladdered, while the rest of us are without hockey again.
 
#66
At the end of the day. You’re entering a premises that does not belong to you. Therefore, you follow the rules of that place or you’re out. Simple as. Watching the highlights last night. Of the few fan shots. Too many fans without masks. Some examples need to be made. As it’s the long term fans that are suffering due to the Saturday night casual drinking fans!
 

hip check

Well-Known Member
#67
One problem of a fan or fans being ejected is the inconvenience of the people around that area having their enjoyment spoiled whilst the ejection takes place, who wants a big scene going on in the row in front of you whilst you and your family/buddies are trying to enjoy the match?
Not all ejections will go smoothly without some resistance from the person/people being ejected, commonplace in football but a rarity in our beloved sport.
Why don't people just wear their bloody masks? it's not that much inconvenience is it for 3 hours?
 

ASHIPP

Well-Known Member
#68
Personally., I would rather have 5 minutes disruption of my enjoyment whilst the Arena demonstrates how seriously they take mask wearing, than discovering I have contracted the disease from someone in the vicinity of my seat who didn't wear their mask all evening. 5 mins is a small price to pay for taking a tough line on spectator safety.
 

hip check

Well-Known Member
#69
Personally., I would rather have 5 minutes disruption of my enjoyment whilst the Arena demonstrates how seriously they take mask wearing, than discovering I have contracted the disease from someone in the vicinity of my seat who didn't wear their mask all evening. 5 mins is a small price to pay for taking a tough line on spectator safety.
None of us mask wearers should have to suffer the inconvenience of having our enjoyment spoiled by people who can't be arsed to follow protocol, I would prefer information/warnings being verbally communicated by stewards and tannoy announcements as you get to your seats before the game starts stating non conformance before the game starts means leaving the arena prior to face off, also verbal information given at the entrance as you enter the arena and having to physically show you are carrying a mask in your possession.
 

Mazzoak

Well-Known Member
#70
There is a simple solution to this problem. You make an announcement when the team is lined up stating the game will be stopped & wont start until all non exempt people are wearing their masks & continue too or they’ll be handed over to the Police. Todd speaks to South Wales Police prior to games advising they’ll have a few customers to collect.
It’s only difficult to do if you make it, if the will was there, unfortunately Covid has proved how people interpret basic rules and push them to their own agenda, that includes businesses who prefer to make an extra few pounds in sales........
If the Council are buying the rink, this’ll be an issue, the Council hate Ice Hockey as as it’s perceived as hooligans on ice, how can a family sport include fighting for entertainment, that’s come from a councilman. Shutting down the Devils would make some very happy.
 
#71
Unfortunately, in this politically correct world that we inhabit it is my understanding that if you challenge a non mask wearer and they tell you that they are 'exempt' that is the end of it.
Under the current legislation it is sufficient for them claim exemption without having the burden of proof.
They don’t have to show the certificate or even carry one. The WAG have made this the choice of the of the person claiming exemption.
This puts the policing of mask wearing almost impossible if people persist in trying to circumvent the
restrictions by falsely claiming exemption.
Let’s be clear here, it’s a small minority of people across all age groups who are genuinely exempt due to medical or mental health issues, yet the vast majority of non mask wearers at the IAW seem to fall into the 18-30 age bracket and most of them seem to cluster in small groups!
Now I’m no expert in demographics but what what are the odds of a group of 20 something year old friends all being exempt??…….hmmmm!

The Club must however keep hammering home the message using announcements and the big screen and ensure ALL staff wear masks properly and continue to challenge 'anti-maskers'.

In a democracy it’s ludicrous that the rights of the individual seems to be more cherished than the rights of the many!

Apologies for the long post but I’m beginning to think that the Club are in an almost impossible position, not helped by the 'loopholes' in the regulations that you could drive a 'coach and horses' through!
 
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Mazzoak

Well-Known Member
#72
There aren’t any loop holes, people just lie. In the same way under 18 yr olds try to get served in pubs, no ID no service, unless it’s obvious their over 18. Same rule can be applied by Todd as the manager of the IAW, if he suspects people are flouting the law, he can remove them from the premises. Simple. It’s not that difficult, the statistical chances a group of non mask wearers, under 30 all having mask issues is zero. The statistical chances their full of sh88 very high.
The very least all employees legally must wear a mask unless excempt.

Welsh Government guidelines below....

“Ultimately, the operator, an employee or a person authorised by the operator are not expected to take enforcement action. However, as outlined above, they have a role in explaining what the requirements are, and encouraging visitors and customers to comply with the regulations and wear face coverings. Managers of premises have a general right to refuse entry if circumstances necessitate it, and they can call the police to report issues of antisocial behaviour”.
 

BostonBart22

Well-Known Member
Thread starter #73
There is a simple solution to this problem. You make an announcement when the team is lined up stating the game will be stopped & wont start until all non exempt people are wearing their masks & continue too or they’ll be handed over to the Police. Todd speaks to South Wales Police prior to games advising they’ll have a few customers to collect.
It’s only difficult to do if you make it, if the will was there, unfortunately Covid has proved how people interpret basic rules and push them to their own agenda, that includes businesses who prefer to make an extra few pounds in sales........
If the Council are buying the rink, this’ll be an issue, the Council hate Ice Hockey as as it’s perceived as hooligans on ice, how can a family sport include fighting for entertainment, that’s come from a councilman. Shutting down the Devils would make some very happy.
Perhaps they should show on the screen clips from hospitals or care homes when covid was at its peak, that may persuade a few to put masks on..
 

BostonBart22

Well-Known Member
Thread starter #74
Or that powerful drama that was on midweek about care home as covid started, It was called...... HELP..... no wonder the govt were slated over care homes.
 

Mazzoak

Well-Known Member
#75
Perhaps they should show on the screen clips from hospitals or care homes when covid was at its peak, that may persuade a few to put masks on..
On YouTube there is a channel run by a Welshman from Port Talbot who moved to California many yrs ago. It’s an alternative thinking page/podcast on many subjects, his interest being sci-fi, UFO’s & Government. Not mainstream, but also not a tin foil crack pot searching for Aliens in Area 51.
Anyway when Covid started it became a subject of debate, he didn’t trust the vaccine, wouldn’t wear a mask etc. Six weeks ago he posted a short vid explaining he felt unwell, couldn’t do the regular livestream. Four weeks ago he posted he felt better, had tested positive and would do the livestream in 5 days. That was his last ever video, 48 hrs after he’d gone to hospital, was placed on life support and unfortunately died on the day he had planned the livestream........
The last videos you could clearly see a physical change in his appearance, he had no underlying health issues, but was 52 yrs old and it killed him in weeks. Maybe play his last video and his memorial service that was recently filmed in Port Talbot.
 

BostonBart22

Well-Known Member
Thread starter #76
On YouTube there is a channel run by a Welshman from Port Talbot who moved to California many yrs ago. It’s an alternative thinking page/podcast on many subjects, his interest being sci-fi, UFO’s & Government. Not mainstream, but also not a tin foil crack pot searching for Aliens in Area 51.
Anyway when Covid started it became a subject of debate, he didn’t trust the vaccine, wouldn’t wear a mask etc. Six weeks ago he posted a short vid explaining he felt unwell, couldn’t do the regular livestream. Four weeks ago he posted he felt better, had tested positive and would do the livestream in 5 days. That was his last ever video, 48 hrs after he’d gone to hospital, was placed on life support and unfortunately died on the day he had planned the livestream........
The last videos you could clearly see a physical change in his appearance, he had no underlying health issues, but was 52 yrs old and it killed him in weeks. Maybe play his last video and his memorial service that was recently filmed in Port Talbot.
Sad for that guy, prob better than my idea, if that didnt do anything for non mask wearers theres no hope is there..
 
#77
There aren’t any loop holes, people just lie. In the same way under 18 yr olds try to get served in pubs, no ID no service, unless it’s obvious their over 18. Same rule can be applied by Todd as the manager of the IAW, if he suspects people are flouting the law, he can remove them from the premises. Simple. It’s not that difficult, the statistical chances a group of non mask wearers, under 30 all having mask issues is zero. The statistical chances their full of sh88 very high.
The very least all employees legally must wear a mask unless excempt.

Welsh Government guidelines below....

“Ultimately, the operator, an employee or a person authorised by the operator are not expected to take enforcement action. However, as outlined above, they have a role in explaining what the requirements are, and encouraging visitors and customers to comply with the regulations and wear face coverings. Managers of premises have a general right to refuse entry if circumstances necessitate it, and they can call the police to report issues of antisocial behaviour”.

I don’t disagree with your sentiments in general.
However, a person must be medically exempt not to wear a mask but you don’t have to show or carry an exemption certificate when challenged.
You can also just download a copy off the WAG website. To me that’s a loophole that enables someone to lie about their eligibility without having the burden of proof to back up such a claim.
 

Mazzoak

Well-Known Member
#79
I don’t disagree with your sentiments in general.
However, a person must be medically exempt not to wear a mask but you don’t have to show or carry an exemption certificate when challenged.
You can also just download a copy off the WAG website. To me that’s a loophole that enables someone to lie about their eligibility without having the burden of proof to back up such a claim.
The WAG advice is that a manager can question the person and eject if suspected of telling lies. I agree in a perfect world this wouldn’t be an issue, but we still have smokers, drinkers, couch potatoes and drivers ignoring speed limits, all impact other people in one way or another.
 

Mazzoak

Well-Known Member
#80
Sad for that guy, prob better than my idea, if that didnt do anything for non mask wearers theres no hope is there..
He left behind 2 teenage children and a wife. I’m lucky nobody l know has died as a direct consequence of the Virus, this was the first, it makes a difference when someone has lost their life to something so preventable, so quickly and it shows Covid has no discrimination, it kills randomly & quickly, it also leaves survivors with disabilities.....
 
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