NBA 2020-21: It is good news for the NBA players, fans, teams, and management. The NBA and NBPA have announced that of the 549 players tested for Covid-19, only 1 player has tested positive for the virus.
When players were tested on the 2nd of December, 8 players were tested positive for Covid-19. Earlier, a total of 48 from 546 tested NBA players showed a positive result for Covid-19.
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The NBA returns only one positive coronavirus test out of 549 players tested since Dec. 10: pic.twitter.com/xYStnZvYGg
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 16, 2020
What is in the 134-page guide released by the NBA before the new season starts?
The guide is designed to “promote prevention and mitigation strategies to reduce exposure to, and transmission of, the coronavirus,” but that it is possible that some players and staff might contract the virus.
NBA also set up a rules system for what will happen if someone tests positive for COVID-19. Under such a situation, there are two possible routes to return: a “time-based” resolution, and a “test-based” resolution.
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Time-based resolution:
This system states that the infected person will have to go at least 10 days from their first positive test or since they started getting symptoms(if any) of the virus. It also states that the person must have gone at least 24 hours since their fever went away without the use of medications.
NBA News 2020-21: Check out the NBA preseason schedule here.
Test-based resolution:
Under the test-based resolution, the person who contracted the virus must deliver at least two back-to-back negative PCR tests from specimens taken at 24 hours apart.
Any player who is determined to have a new positive case from testing will not be allowed to participate in any training for at least 10 days from either the positive test or the resolution of symptoms if they have any.
After a player has waited for a minimum of 10 days, they will be told to spend two days working out by themselves.
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They will not be allowed to interact with anyone or participate in any team activities, wearing a mask at all times when at the facility. They also must engage in a cardiac screening.
So any player who tests positive will have to miss a minimum of 12 days before they can return to play.
NBA Schedule: The tentative NBA schedule calendar for the 2020-21 season:
• Dec. 11-19, 2020: Preseason games
• Dec. 22, 2020 – March 4, 2021: First Half of regular season
• March 5-10, 2021: All-Star break
• March 11 – May 16, 2021: Second Half of regular season
• May 18-21, 2021: Play-In Tournament
• May 22 – July 22, 2021: 2021 NBA Playoffs