NFL, NFLPA update COVID-19 protocols ahead of 2021 season

The NFL and the NFL Players Association have reached a deal on new protocols for the 2021 season for fully vaccinated players and staff

BY KENDALL VALENZUELA

Jun 16, 2021, 3:19 PM Updated: 3:20 pm

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The NFL Players Association have come to an agreement for COVID-19 protocols for training camps and preseason games, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Wednesday.

The NFL and NFLPA have agreed to updated COVID-19 protocols for 2021 training camp and preseason, per source.

How different will life by for vaccinated and unvaccinated players? From the memo that just went to clubs: pic.twitter.com/8yMPW0JBWZ

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 16, 2021

The biggest protocols will be how different the preseason will be for players and individuals who are vaccinated and who not fully vaccinated.

For those fully vaccinated, there will be no daily testing, whereas those who are not fully vaccinated must be tested every day. It will be the same for face coverings, with none required if fully vaccinated and mandated at club facility and team travel if not.

Individuals who are not fully vaccinated, including players, will be prohibited from gathering outside club facilities or team travel. NFL players who are not fully vaccinated will be barred from going to nightclubs, bars, house parties, concerts, etc. Failure to follow the protocols could result in fines of $50,000 for a first offense.

According to Pelissero, fully vaccinated individual who have been exposed to a coronavirus-positive person will not be labeled a high-risk close contact, meaning they will not be subject to a mandatory five-day isolation.

Fully vaccinated media members will be allowed to conduct in-person interviews, which was prohibited throughout the 2020 season. In contrast, media members who are not fully vaccinated are disallowed access to the press box, field, sidelines and locker rooms.

Though fans will not be allowed to interact with players, they are allowed to attend training camps. They must remain more than 20 feet from Tier 1 staff, including players, and adhere to physical distancing.

The full memo on the updated COVID-19 protocols can be found here.