On the heels of the Tennessee Titans’ COVID-19 outbreak, the NFL sent a memo to all 32 teams Thursday with enhanced protocols for teams possibly exposed to the virus.
NFL.com and ESPN.com reported the contents of the memo.
The new rules for clubs viewed at risk for the virus include two daily COVID-19 tests, with all Tier 1 and Tier 2 employees needing to come up negative before entering the facility. Tier 1 employees include players, coaches, trainers and physicians while Tier 2 employees include general managers, football operations staffers, video personnel and security.
In addition, all players and staff must wear face masks on the practice field at all times, with gloves required for every player except for the quarterback’s throwing hand.
All meetings will also be virtual and there will be no team or player gatherings away from the facility. Furthermore, each facility would be expected to have daily deep cleanings.
According to the memo, which also stressed social distancing and hand washing, “There is one simple rule to remember: act as if every person you come into contact with has a COVID infection and take appropriate precautions.”
The Minnesota Vikings, who faced the Titans on Sunday but have yet to have a positive test, followed the enhanced measures upon returning to their team facility Thursday.
–Field Level Media