Training camp just opened and pre-season games will begin starting Dec. 11 to 19. Three days later, the 2020-21 National Basketball Association (NBA) season starts and games will not be in a secured bubble. Teams will have their games in home markets which would imply travelling around the US and exposure to crowds. With the end of COVID nowhere in sight and cases in the mainland rising, infections are a big possibility. Players could be exposed to someone with the virus.
Assuming that players and team staff are infected at the duration of the season, the NBA updated their COVID infection protocols for returning players after getting a positive test. They will still be tested daily but will be stricter with their protocols.
* If exposed to someone with the virus, a player will not be allowed entry to team facilities, participate in practices or interact with other players and team staff until examined by team doctors
* Must be isolated for at least 12 days after their positive test or had not shown any symptoms
* Is asymptomatic and no concerns of reinfection
* Had been cleared by the team doctor to return to play
* Team doctors had reviewed the case with league doctors with no objections
As to travel, the maximum personnel allowed on a team is 45. Players and staff are then prohibited to use public facilities in hotels unless it is reserved solely for the team.
Like in the Orlando bubble, the NBA will again have the hotline for anybody to anonymously report any violations on the updated health protocols.
The first half of the 2020-21 Season will be from Dec. 22 to Mar. 4, with a five-day break without the All-Star Weekend. The second half of the season resumes on Mar 11 until May 16. Play-in tournament will be on May 13 to 21 with playoffs to begin the following day until July 22./PN
