Massachusetts closes ice skating facilities for 2 weeks

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts has ordered the shutdown of every indoor ice skating facility in the state for two weeks in response to several COVID-19 clusters linked to ice hockey games and practices.

The order takes effect Friday and lasts until Nov. 7, the state Department of Public Health announced Thursday.

There have been at least 30 clusters of COVID-19 associated with organized ice hockey activities involving residents from more than 60 cities and towns in the state, the department said.

Each includes two or more confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases, for a total of 108 confirmed cases.

“This pause will allow for the development of stronger COVID-19 protocols to further protect players, families, coaches, arena staff and other participants, as well as communities surrounding hockey rinks," the agency said in a statement."

College and professional programs are exempt from the order.

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BOSTON UNIVERSITY SUSPENSIONS

Boston University has suspended 12 students for the remainder of the fall semester for violating the school's rules on gatherings by attending off-campus parties at which mask-wearing and social-distancing protocols were ignored.

Five other students were placed on deferred suspension for the rest of the academic year, the school said on its website.

The suspended students will not receive a tuition refund, the school said.