Tuesday, Sep 28, 2021. 8:40 PM
The NBA sent interim health and safety protocols to its teams on Tuesday.
It details how unvaccinated players will be tested much more often than vaccinated players, in addition to having several restrictions.
Among the rules for unvaccinated players: they will not be able to eat in the same room with vaccinated teammates or staff; they should have lockers as far as possible from vaccinated players; during team meetings, they should remain masked and be at least six feet from other participants.
Unvaccinated players will be “required to stay at home when in their market,” read the draft regulations, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.
They will also have to stay in the team’s hotels abroad.
In both cases there are exceptions, such as going grocery shopping or taking the children to school.
Unvaccinated players will not be allowed to visit high risk locations such as restaurants, bars, clubs, entertainment venues and large indoor gatherings.
The league is working with the National Basketball Players Association to finalize the protocols, but some details were agreed upon weeks ago.
This includes provisions that unvaccinated players will be tested during all training, travel, team activities and match days.
Fully vaccinated players will not be tested, with a few exceptions.
Fully vaccinated players – around 90% of the league – will largely be back to their normal activities.
Unvaccinated players will receive rapid tests on days when teams train, travel, or host similar team events. On match days, they will have to undergo tests linked to laboratories.
“A vaccination mandate for the players would require an agreement with their Association,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said on Tuesday. The NBA made these proposals, but the players’ union rejected any vaccination requirements. “
LeBron James of the Lakers says he doesn’t want to tell people what to do about the vaccination.
James, however, revealed on Tuesday that he is vaccinated. Like Damian Lillard, Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo, among others, he said he did it with the safety of his family in mind.
“Everyone has their own choice of what they think is good for themselves and their family,” said James.
“I was very (skeptical). But after doing my research, I felt it was the best thing for me, my family and my friends. That’s why I decided to (get the vaccine). “
Bradley Beal and Andrew Wiggins, in particular, said they were not yet vaccinated.
Devin Booker missed the start of camp after testing positive, but it’s unclear if he’s vaccinated.
Kyrie Irving – a vice president of the NBPA – refused to disclose his vaccine status. The fact that he was not in person on media day clearly suggests that he is not vaccinated, however.
Irving, however, trained with the Nets on Tuesday in San Diego.
The status of Wiggins and Irving is particularly thorny: in San Francisco and New York, orders would require them to be vaccinated or to benefit from an exemption to play at home. The NBA refused such a request from Wiggins.
The difference between vaccinated and unvaccinated players will also govern the rules regarding what happens when contact tracing reports a player as potentially exposed to someone positive for COVID-19.
Those who are fully vaccinated will not be required to quarantine in most cases, but will need seven days of testing.
Unvaccinated players reported by contact tracing will need to be placed in isolation for seven days.
All players and staff, regardless of their immunization status, will be required to wear a mask in almost all situations at team facilities, on the move and on the bench, during matches.
Head coaches will not be required to wear a mask during matches.
NBA statistics staff, team attendants and referees should be vaccinated.
