Canada approves use of cohort quarantines for NHL players entering country

The Canadian government approved the NHL's proposal to use a cohort quarantine approach for players entering Canada, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said Friday, according to The Canadian Press.

Players won't be permitted to completely bypass the mandated 14-day quarantine upon entering the country, but they can immediately begin training at team facilities while separating themselves from the general public.

Freeland added the cohort quarantines would involve regular screenings, and she stressed the importance of players closely following the directives of medical officers.

The league has reportedly shown interest in using at least one of Vancouver, Edmonton, or Toronto as a hub city to host teams if play resumes this summer. The mandatory 14-day quarantine was seen as a major factor hindering the possibility of choosing a Canadian city.