NBA

NBA Changes COVID Protocols, Shortens Path To Return To Play

Dec 27, 2021, 4:19 PM

In this photo illustration the American National Basketball Association (NBA) men's professional basketball league logo seen displayed on a smartphone with a computer model of the COVID-19 coronavirus on the background. (Photo Illustration by Budrul Chukrut/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

(Photo Illustration by Budrul Chukrut/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

BY TIM REYNOLDS, AP

AP – NBA players who test positive for COVID-19 now have a quicker path to return after the league completed a significant update to its health and safety protocols.

The biggest change is that isolation periods for players who test positive may now be shortened to six days from what has been the customary 10 provided those players are asymptomatic and meet other testing standards.

Vaccinated NBA players and coaches can now clear quarantine after six days if Covid-testing data shows they’re no longer at risk to be infectious, according to a memo distributed to teams Monday and obtained by ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 27, 2021

This reduction in quarantine time is expected to immediately impact the status of numerous players who are already in the league’s health and safety protocols.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 27, 2021

Teams were told of the new protocols Monday in a memo sent by the league, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.

Also Monday, Phoenix coach Monty Williams and Portland coach Chauncey Billups entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols, according to two people with direct knowledge of those situations.