After two years of strict COVID-19 mandates and protocols, the National Football League and NFL Players Association agreed to suspend COVID-19 protocols on Thursday.
The new order goes into effect immediately, the NFL said in a memo Thursday. However, players still need to obey the guidelines in their respective cities.
“Based on current encouraging trends regarding the prevalence and severity of COVID-19, the evolving guidance from the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention], changes to state law and based upon the counsel of our respective experts, the NFL and NFLPA have agreed to suspend all aspects of the joint COVID-19 Protocols, effective immediately,” the NFL said in the memo obtained by NFL reporter Tom Pelissero.
CDC RELAXES COVID-19 MASKING GUIDELINES
The new order eliminates the mandatory surveillance testing on any players or staff, regardless of vaccination status, removes testing trailers from team facilities, lifts masking requirements for players and staff, and removes limits on facilities.
The NFL said it will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation in the country and make changes accordingly to keep players safe.
“We will continue to prioritize the health and safety of the players, coaches and staff, as we have throughout the pandemic,” the memo said. “Should there be reason to reimpose aspects of the Protocols or take other measures, we will work closely with the clubs, the NFLPA and our respective experts, and local, state and federal public health officials to continue to safeguard the health of the NFL community.”
All players individually must monitor themselves for symptoms of the virus every day prior to entering a training facility, the league added.
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The change comes as the country sees a decline in COVID-19 cases. The CDC updated its guidelines to focus more on the community and hospitalizations from COVID-19, including how many beds are available in hospitals for people with COVID-19 instead of raw case numbers.
The NFL regular season starts back up. on Sept. 8.
