Hockey is one step closer to getting back up and running in the province.

Hockey Canada has lifted its ban and is fully supportive of branches opening when it is safe to do so. Thirteen branches, including Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador, come under the auspices of Hockey Canada.

The president of Hockey NL, Jack Lee, says they have set up a working group and will return to play when Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald advises.

He says they will not allow on-ice activities to begin before August 1.

Lee says by next week the group will be close to finalizing the plan for getting back to play with safety and health in mind. They will then submit it to the provincial government and the Chief Medical Officer.

Lee says with current guidelines they will not allow on-ice activities to begin until after August 1. The operation of off-ice activities will go off of public health guidelines.