KHL President Alexei Morozov gave his monthly interview on Monday. The president discussed the latest status of the COVID-19 virus’ impact around the league, and testing plans for the upcoming postseason, which begins in less than a month.
“We haven’t published numbers for a long time. On the evening of February 6, 572 people were ill in the KHL, of which 305 are players. There is currently one player on the list of those out due to COVID-19.”
The KHL regular season, which began in September will conclude at the end of February.
“We have extended the testing program for players and club staff, referees until the end of the season. In the second part of the championship, only the teams that continue to fight for the Gagarin Cup will be tested. In terms of morbidity, isolated cases have been detected in the last month.”
Morozov gave his last update on COVID-19 numbers back on December 4.
“At the moment, in all KHL teams, a total of 21 people are sick with a diagnosis of COVID-19, 486 people have recovered. This number includes not only the players, but also the staff of the clubs tested by the KHL”, Morozov said in December.
The KHL has operated this season under a wide array of varying restrictions, generally based on guidelines set by regional authorities. Most teams allow a percentage of fans to attend games while others have yet to allow fans to attend games.
Capitals prospects Alex Alexeyev and Aliaksei Protas, on loan to Salavat Yuleav Ufa and Dinamo Minsk, respectively, continue to play and figure to make the postseason.
The KHL playoffs are due to start on March 2, 2021, with a potential Gagarin Cup Final game seven pencilled in for April 30, if required.
By Jon Sorensen
