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On Thursday, the NFL and NFLPA released a memo to teams which detailed an update in the league’s current COVID-19 protocols. This comes amid a surge of cases throughout the league due to the new Omicron variant. There are over 100 players currently on the COVID-19 list with positive cases, particularly the Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams, and Washington Football Team.
The memo reads: “Throughout the pandemic we have continuously evolved our protocols to meet our goal of advancing the safety of the players, coaches and staff. The changes we are making today aim to address the increase in cases and advent of the Omicron variant. Effective immediately, all clubs will implement preventative measures that have proven effective: masking regardless of vaccination status, remote or outdoor meetings, eliminating in-person meals, and no outside visitors while on team travel. We will continue to strongly encourage booster shots as the most effective protection. Finally, and based on expert advance, we will adjust the return-to-participation requirements for those who have recovered from COVID-19. All of these changes are grounded in our data and science-backed approach, with safety our number-one goal for the entire NFL community.”
The memo notes that masking will be required when inside the team facility regardless of vaccination status; however will not be required outdoors or during practices and/or walkthroughs conducted in the practice bubble. Weight rooms may have no more than 15 players working out in a single room at one time regardless of vaccination status. In-person meetings are prohibited unless held outdoors or in the practice bubble with individuals physically distanced.
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