Here’s all you need to know on the NBA’s health and safety protocols

The NBA has been trying to restore some normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic caused the derailment of the 2019-20 season and 2020-21 seasons. However, the 2021-22 season is not without its challenges.

Three players from the Chicago Bulls have tested positive for the virus so far this season and two more in the past week. Coby White, JavonteGreen, and Nikola Vucevic all tested positive for the virus last Wednesday.

DeMar DeRozan, who was entering safety and health protocols just hours before Monday’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets became the fourth member to do so. Head coach Billy Donovan didn’t know if this was due to a positive test.

“This happened this afternoon. I can’t confirm or deny whether it’s false positive or positive. Donovan stated that he doesn’t know the answer right now. “I believe we’ll have hopefully more news in the next day or two.”

DeRozan could miss multiple games if he is positive. This guide will show you how to use the NBA’s multiple-step return-to-play protocol for COVID-19-affected players.

What if a player got Covid-19
A positive test for COVID-19 must be returned within 10 days of the initial positive. Additionally, a fever must not have occurred in less than 24 hours. A minimum of two negative PCR results must be returned from each sample taken within 24 hours.

Is it necessary for a player to be isolated after a positive result?
According to the NBA protocol, coaches, players, and staff must isolate themselves if they come in contact with positive individuals.

What happens when a player is allowed to return?
A cardiac screening must be completed once a player has been released from isolation. The player must take a rest from the first symptoms and can’t exercise for 10 days.

Players can return to their gameplay after an observation period.

A player must be monitored for at least three days if they have severe symptoms before being allowed to return to competition by their team’s consultant cardiologist.

A player must be monitored for moderate symptoms for at least two days before they can be allowed to return to competition. If they have no symptoms or are not in isolation, they may return to competition after being evaluated by a league and team doctor.


Is the protocol for a vaccinated participant the same?
The 2021-22 season was dominated by the reaction of players to being vaccinated against COVID-19. According to reports, 97 percent of NBA players had been vaccinated. This includes a small group of players who received their first shot. Although the NBA does not require players to get vaccinated every game, there may be local rules that prevent players from playing in their home arenas. Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets’ guard, is not vaccinated and cannot play in home games because of New York City’s COVID-19 vaccine regulations. He won’t be allowed to join the team until he is fully eligible.

Players who are not vaccinated must stay at their homes while they’re at home, and in their hotels when on the road. These restrictions will not apply to vaccinated players. They won’t have to go through daily testing. They will only be tested if they become symptomatic, or are close to someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19. If they are close contacts of someone who is not vaccinated, they will need to be quarantined for seven days.

A vaccinated person who is close to contact will not need to be quarantined, but they will be subject to daily rapid testing for seven days. They are still allowed to access the team facilities and can interact with other players, provided they do not show any symptoms, are negative, and comply with all safety precautions.

Can unvaccinated players lose their money for games they have to miss?
A deal has been reached between the league and the players association that any player who is not vaccinated misses a game because of a local mandate for vaccination will be refunded 1/91.6th his salary.

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