The NFL and NFLPA reached an agreement to update the league's anti-COVID-19 protocols for training camps and pre-season training camps.
With just over a month to go before mandatory training camps begin, the measure outlines how Tier 1 and 2 players and staff of teams that have been fully vaccinated and those that have not yet been vaccinated will be treated. According to Tom Pellisero, players who are already vaccinated will not be required to submit PCR tests, which will be done daily for those who have not been vaccinated.
Masks and masks will no longer be mandatory with this new measure, except for those who are not vaccinated. Those who for religious or medical reasons cannot be vaccinated will be prohibited from gathering outside the facilities and traveling with the team. Coaches and staff members who do not have these two exceptions to take the vaccine will not be allowed to be part of the 1st and 2nd tiers of the franchise in question.
In addition, it was informed that team members who are fully vaccinated and who have had contact with someone infected with COVID-19 should no longer be isolated for five days, nor should they be considered at risk of infecting others.
The NFL and NFLPA have agreed to updated COVID-19 protocols for 2021 training camp and preseason, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 16, 2021
How different will life by for vaccinated and unvaccinated players? From the memo that just went to clubs: pic.twitter.com/8yMPW0JBWZ
Weight and fitness trainers require the vaccine to enter the gyms, which will have a reduction of only 15 players per session.
Media personnel who have already been vaccinated will be allowed one-on-one interviews with players, something that was prohibited last season. Unvaccinated media personnel will not be allowed to enter press conferences, playing fields and team locker rooms.
Fans will not be allowed to interact with players. However, they are allowed to attend training camps as long as they remain at least 20 feet away from the team's tier 1 personnel.
Players who are vaccinated must be tested every 14 days under the new protocol.
