The NFL and NFL players’ association suspended all COVID-19 protocols throughout the league, which took effect immediately, halting two years of largely successful efforts to overcome the pandemic.
The teams received a note Thursday morning describing the decision, which is “based on current encouraging trends in the prevalence and severity” of the coronavirus.
Many of the league’s strictest protocols had been dropped by the end of the 2021 season, including mandatory tests for asymptomatic players and staff, requirements for wearing contact tracking devices, and restrictions on distance in weights and cafeterias.
At the moment, there are no football activities in the club facilities between the seasons and it can start at the earliest on April 4 for teams that have hired new coaches. But Thursday’s change will still affect coaches and other staff members who visit this week’s Indianapolis Scout Factory or who work year-round in local markets. These employees will no longer be subject to surveillance tests, regardless of vaccination status or mask requirements.
Teams can choose to impose their own mask rules if they wish, and the note leaves open the possibility of returning to the protocol level if circumstances so require.
“If there is a reason to re-impose aspects of the protocols or take other action,” the note said, “we will work closely with clubs, the NFLPA and our relevant experts, as well as local, state and federal public officials. health care to continue to protect the health of the NFL community. “
Teams are still required to comply with all state and local public health regulations.
The pandemic forced the NFL to cancel its off-season and pre-season training in 2020, but has since played all scheduled regular-season games and playoffs. This includes expanding the post-season in 2020 and the regular season in 2021.
In some cases, the NFL’s work on COVID-19 has justified the decisions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health institutions. The NFL ended the 2021 season with vaccination rates of 95% for players and almost 100% for other football staff.