NBA, players’ union agree to modify safety protocols for fully vaccinated players

The NBA and National Basketball Players Associated adopted relaxed COVID-19 health and safety protocols for fully vaccinated players.

The NBA outlined the interim modifications to the protocols in a memo to teams on Wednesday.

Fully vaccinated individuals:

Will not have to quarantine even if there has been close contact with COVID-infected person.
Will not be required to undergo daily point-of-care testing.
Will not required to undergo PCR testing on off days.
Can have friends, family and other guests at their home and can have up to four guests at the team hotel on the road. Those guests will not have to undergo testing or register with the team.
Can eat at outdoor restaurants at home and on the road.
Can arrive at the arena up to four hours before tip-off without undergoing point-of-care test at the arena.
Can appear at events to fulfill commitments to a sponsor.

Here are some of the modified COVID-19 health and safety protocols for fully vaccinated NBA players and staffers: pic.twitter.com/GCT7L5yM65

Added modifications will be introduced once 85% of players and 85% of Tier 1 and Tier 2 individuals are fully vaccinated. Those include:

No masks are the practice facility.
Indoor dining allowed.
Increased flexibility to eat on team flights and leave the team hotel on the road.
The league said in a memo that policies on wearing masks when in public will not change for vaccinated players and staffers.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver at All-Star Weekend acknowledged the protocols are “ incredibly burdensome on our players and on our teams.”

“There will be some real advantages and benefits to getting vaccinated for the players,” Silver said.