Testing plan ready ahead of camps

NFL players will be tested daily for the coronavirus for at least the first two weeks of training camp, per the league’s new testing protocols.

The players’ union was also considering a league offer to scrap pre-season games, and allow players to opt out of camp or games and still receive a stipend. The plan has been for teams to play two exhibition games apiece.

The NFL and the players’ union reached an agreement on testing regulations Monday as rookies for Houston and Kansas City were set to report to camp.

Rookies for other teams begin arriving Tuesday.

Players, coaches and all other camp participants must test negative for the virus two times, separated by 72 hours, using a nasal swab before initially entering a building to begin physical exams or any form of team activity.

After two weeks, if the positive test rate falls below five per cent among players and others including coaches, testing would switch to every other day. If the rate doesn’t fall below that threshold, daily testing would continue until it drops.

“There’s no finish line with health and safety and I think these protocols are very much living and breathing documents, which means they will change as we gain new knowledge about this virus, as we gain new knowledge about transmission, as we gain new knowledge about testing and there are new tests and new techniques that come online,” said Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer.

“We very much anticipate that these protocols will change.” The NFL has sought input from other leagues that have already returned to action, including those outside the country.

It’s not known how many positive tests would result in shutting down the football season.