NFL Implements Increased Coronavirus Restrictions Starting Saturday

With coronavirus cases rising nationally, the NFL has introduced more stringent measures in time for the holidays.

Beginning on Saturday, all teams will implement the new coronavirus protocols. The rules state that all coaches and players must return a negative result from the day before to be allowed into the team’s facility.

As well as that, all meetings will either be held virtually or outside, if that is feasible. Face masks must be worn at all times.

Team meals will be served in a ‘grab and go’ system to limit player interaction at meal times. Usage locker rooms will be reserved for game days only. Vitally, in time for Thanksgiving, players will not be allowed to gather away from team facilities.

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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement as the league continues to manage the coronavirus pandemic.

“The upcoming holidays, beginning with Thanksgiving next week, will introduce new risks of exposure that we need to address now,” he said.

Read: Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Andy Dalton Describes Tough Battle with Covid-19

“Because we have a highly sophisticated program of daily testing, we know when the virus enters our facilities, which underscores the importance of contact tracing and other steps to minimize close contacts within a facility. Recent experience has highlighted the importance of minimizing high-risk close contacts; on multiple occasions, we have seen individuals identified on that basis test positive within a short time. We have also seen many instances in which effective action by clubs to minimize these close contacts prevented the virus from spreading within the club, and avoided players or coaches being ruled out of practice or games.”

It is a pivotal moment not just for the NFL in terms of suppressing Covid-19. However, the league appears confident that it can still host the Super Bowl as scheduled.