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The NFL and the NFLPA have negotiated changes to the league’s COVID-19 protocols, some of which are being put in place immediately and could help teams whose rosters have been decimated this week.
Effective immediately, all 32 NFL teams will be placed in intensive COVID-19 protocols until the conclusion of Week 15. This means the re-imposition of restrictions such as mandatory mask-wearing in team facilities, social distancing, grab-and-go meal service in team cafeterias, limits on the number of people allowed in weight rooms, restrictions on activities outside the facility and all-virtual meetings.
Teams that are already in intensive protocols due to ongoing outbreaks will continue daily testing of all players and personnel — vaccinated or unvaccinated, but the rest of the teams will not be subject to daily testing.
Also effective immediately, the league and the NFLPA will institute changes in the return-to-play COVID-19 protocols that will make it easier for players who are vaccinated and asymptomatic to return to practice and games.
Under the existing protocols, a vaccinated individual who tests positive for COVID-19 has to produce two negative tests 24 hours apart before he is cleared to return. The new protocols relax that requirement and could, according to the source, enable teams like the Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams and Washington Football Team to get some players back for this weekend’s games.
There is no change to the rules for unvaccinated players, who will continue to be tested daily and have to stay away from the team facility for at least 10 days before they can be cleared to return following a positive test.
The NFLPA also is pushing to allow players the option to opt out of the season if they are uncomfortable with changes to the protocols, though it’s unclear what the chances are of the league agreeing to that.
As of Thursday afternoon, there is no plan to mandate COVID-19 booster shots for vaccinated players, though the league and the…
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Source : espn
