NBA NAGHIGPIT SA HEALTH PROTOCOLS

DAPAT manatili ang mga NBA player sa kanilang mga bahay kapag sila ay nasa kanilang mga tahanan at sa kanilang hotels kapag nasa labas sa susunod na dalawang linggo.

Ito ang nakasaad sa bagong health protocols na binuo ng liga para malimitahan ang epekto ng COVID-19 sa season.

Iniiwasan ng liga, na kinansela ang isang laro noong Linggo at tatlong laro ngayong linggo dahil sa virus, ang league-wide suspension ng mga laro tulad ng nangyari noong Marso bago bumalik sa “bubble” environment sa Orlando noong Hulyo.

“The new protocols, which take effect immediately, were issued in response to the surge of COVID-19 cases across the country and an uptick among NBA teams requiring potential player quarantines,” ayon sa NBA.

“Players and team staff can leave their homes to attend team-related activities, exercise outside, perform essential activities or as a result of extraordinary circumstances,” nakasaad sa protocols.

Habang nasa hotel, ang mga player at team staff ay bawal lumabas maliban kung para sa team activities o emergencies. Bawal din silang makipag-usap sa non-team guests.

Ang mga player at coach ay kailangang magsuot ng face masks sa lahat ng pagkakataon sa bench at sa locker room, ayon pa sa protocols, na inendorso ng players’ union.

“Upon exiting the game, and prior to returning to the bench, players can sit in ‘cool down chairs,’ arranged at least 12 feet from the bench with each chair 6 feet apart, where facemasks are not required,” ayon pa sa  protocols.

“Players must also limit their pre- and post-game interactions to elbow and fist bumps and maintain six feet of distance as much as possible.”