NBA outlines safety protocols
In a memo sent to teams on Saturday, the NBA outlined key dates and health and safety protocols for the 2020-21 season.
The memo, obtained by USA TODAY Sports, included dates for voluntary individual workouts (Nov. 24-30), required individual workouts (Dec.1-5), group practices (Dec. 6-10), exhibition play (Dec. 11-21) and the start of the regular season (Dec. 22). The league also sent a 139-page document outlining health and safety protocols pertaining to the coronavirus.
Some of the document is similar to the NBA’s 114page health and safety protocol for its restarted 201920 season at a quarantined site in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. All teams are required to undergo daily COVID-19 tests, as well as follow social distancing, sanitary and mask-wearing rules outside of games. But with the NBA beginning this season in home markets, the league also outlined some unique procedures. Here are the key takeaways.
What could suspend or cancel season? The NBA is intent on finishing the season and acknowledged “it is likely that some staff, players, and other participants in the 2020-21season nonetheless will test positive or contract COVID-19, particularly as the virus remains prevalent in particular team markets and surrounding communities. The occurrence of independent cases (i.e., cases not spread among players or team staff) or a small or otherwise expected number of COVID-19 cases will not require a decision to suspend or cancel the 2020-21 season.” The NBA said it could modify protocols if necessary.
Returning to play after positive test: A player can return10 days after the date of the first positive test, at least 24 hours without a fever or using fever-reducing medications and if all symptoms have improved. For 48 hours after discontinuation of isolation, a player can participate in individual workouts when no other players are present; the player must also complete cardiac screening. A player can return sooner if he has at least two consecutive negative PCR test results.
Voluntary individual workout procedures: No more than two players can be at a practice facility. No more than two coaches or player development personnel can be there at any one time, either. Only one player and staff member can be in the weight room at the same time. During these workouts, everyone has to follow social-distancing rules.
Self-quarantines before training camp: From Nov. 27-Dec. 2, all participants must self-quarantine at home other than for “essential activities," such as trips to the grocery story and hospital, dropping off or picking up children and traveling to the team facility for COVID-19 testing and individual workouts.
Mandatory individual workouts: Players have to return at least three consecutive negative PCR tests before participating. No more than four players can be at the facility at one time.
Teams must hire external consultants: Each team has to have an infectious disease specialist, infection control specialist and a rapid testing coordinator, a testing officer, a testing manager and contact-tracing officer, two contact tracers, a team protocol enforcement officer, two facemask enforcement officers, player liason, facility hygiene officer, arena health and hygiene manager, health education and awareness officer and travel safety officer. There is a league protocol officer, and each team will have a protocol officer who will monitor, enforce and certify protocols.
Teams placed in three tiers: Tier 1 can include up to 45 people among players, coaching staff, medical and training staff, senior basketball executives, equipment staff, team security, up to two players’ personal trainers or massage therapist, public relations staff and team governor. They will be allowed to physically interact with one another so long as they follow the testing, mask wearing and sanitary guidelines.
Tier 2 can include up to 15 people who can physically interact, but have to be at least six feet apart and always have to wear facemasks. They include non-coaching staff, training staff not in close contact with players, food service employees, PR staff, team social media/ content staff, team security, any senior basketball executives or team governor.
Tier 3 can include up to 25 people who don’t need to physically interact with anyone from Tiers 1 or 2.