New NFL Protocols have been put in place and will go into effect Saturday, Nov 21, 2020. The entire 32 teams of the league will operate under this new intensive protocol for the rest of the season.
NFL New Restrictive Protocols
These restrictions call for all players and coaches to have a negative PCR test result from the previous days in order to enter their facilities. Some may be asking, what is a PCR test? The answer can be found in the explanation of how texting for the coronavirus happens. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), is a laboratory method of testing for the virus.
What is a PCR test?
The PCR test looks for DNA material and then augments the DNA by multiplying them. Genetic properties of the coronavirus Sars-CoV-2 have been identified which now allows testers to know exactly what to look for when the player, coaches, and facility staff are tested.
Other aspects of the New NFL protocol restrictions are that all meetings must be held virtually unless they can be held outside, and face masks must be worn by all at facilities at all times including the practice field.
Grab and go delivery style must be implemented for all meals. Hopefully preventing congregating in the meal rooms. The locker rooms should not be used except for game days.
The new restrictions also forbid players and the team from being a part of gatherings that take place away from their facilities. Keeping in mind the various traditional holiday seasons approaching.
Commissioner Roger Goodell wrote in a memo:
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.
These new protocols in the past were reserved for teams that had positive test results or may have been exposed to another team that has positive test results. This NFL protocol has disposed of any widespread outbreaks such as the one suffered by the Tennessee Titans. The NFL for the last five weeks has played every game schedule without disruption.
Written by Omari Jahi
Sources:
NFL: All NFL teams to operate in COVID-19 intensive protocol starting Saturday, Judy Battista
Chicago Tribune: All NFL teams are now in the league’s intensive COVID-19 protocols for the rest of the season. Here’s what it means for the Chicago Bears, CHICAGO TRIBUNE STAFF
Back to Reason: Testing for Covid explained, Back to Reason
Feature and Top Image by vperemen Courtesy of Wikimedia – Creative Commons License
Inset Image by Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research Courtesy of Wikimedia – Creative Commons License
