NBA Informs Utah Jazz, Teams Of Coronavirus Guidelines

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The NBA has informed all 30 of its franchises, including to the Utah Jazz of its upcoming guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic. The league announced yesterday that all games have been suspended until further notice after Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the virus. Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell became the second NBA player to test positive Wednesday morning.

Franchises have been instructed to hold off on all group workouts and practices, preventing any organization from continuing to work together while other teams may find themselves in quarantine. Additionally, NBA players are not allowed to travel outside of the market of the team they play for.

Jazz players who were not infected with the illness flew back to Utah Wednesday where they must remain until at least March 16.

The NBA has notified its teams that all players are advised to stay in their home markets, remain home as much as possible and that teams are not allowed to hold group practices, meetings or workouts through at least March 16

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 12, 2020

Players are instructed to remain in their homes as long as possible while team physicians will be required to make contact with each player on the roster daily.

The guidelines appear to be an attempt from the NBA to buy time while further measures are examined throughout the weekend.

While NBA fans shouldn’t expect the league to relaunch its nightly games anytime soon, the abbreviated guideline may provide hope that the league plans to finish the season rather than canceling it outright.

While that will likely remain an option for the NBA in the direst consequences, the league’s willingness to reexamine its position beginning next weeks implies the fluidity of the situation.

Without a clear source of exposure for either Gobert or Mitchell, it’s possible the league doesn’t yet know how many players and teams have come into contact with the Jazz duo since they became infected.

BREAKING: @spidadmitchell has tested positive for COVID-19, according to ESPN reports.https://t.co/D2nKk20i4G

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 12, 2020

Coronavirus Resources

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How Do I Prevent It?

The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:

• Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
• Avoid touching your face
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

The CDC does not recommend wearing a facemask respirator to protect yourself from coronavirus unless a healthcare professional recommends it.