Strict security protocols related to the coronavirus, to the entertainment made available to players, the NBA has unveiled in a memorandum how the resumption of the season will be lived on a daily basis at the end of July at Disney World (Florida). In this document of more than 100 pages, relayed by several media, the emphasis is obviously put on the health directives, to which the delegations (35 to 37 people) of the 22 teams will be subject.
They are expected to join the Orlando “bubble” between July 7 and 9, with the exception of the Toronto Raptors who will have left Canada by the end of the month, according to The Athletic . Upon arrival, players will have to isolate themselves in their rooms for two days, time to be tested twice at 24 hour intervals.
A smart ring measuring respiratory rate, heart rate and temperature
"They will have the possibility of carrying an alarm that will alert them if they spend more than 5 seconds within 1.80 meters of another person using this same alarm," said the memo. They will also be able to wear a smart ring measuring respiratory rate, heart rate and temperature.
Players will be tested "regularly". In the event of a confirmed positive test (two will be necessary), they will be immediately isolated for at least fourteen days and treated preventively. The protocol, established on the basis of the advice of the health authorities, stipulates that in the event of "a low or anticipated number" of Covid-19 infections, "suspending or canceling the resumption of the season will not be necessary".
The resumption of the NBA "will involve enormous sacrifices", warns his boss via @ 20minutesSport https://t.co/kuSqhutQNd
- 20 Minutes Sport (@ 20minutesSport) June 16, 2020Wearing a mask will be mandatory except for eating in your room, during training or an outdoor activity respecting distance, such as swimming. The ESPN Wide World of Sports complex (over 90 hectares) has three rooms for basketball, separate training grounds, a golf course, a medical center and three hotels.
According to The Athletic , each team could more or less choose their own according to their ranking. The Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers were given priority. Inside, players will be prohibited from going to the room of a team member or a coach.
Barber, yoga, pedicure
Leisure department, from July 21, they will be able to start sharing meals and activities such as golf, table tennis (but not in duplicate, distance required), video games and card games with people living in the same hotel. DJ sets and film screenings will be offered, as will barber, manicure, pedicure, yoga and meditation services.
Everyone will be entitled to three meals a day, prepared by the various catering services of Disney World. No one may leave the “bubble” except in cases of force majeure (medical care, birth of a child, illness, death of a parent, etc.). All must give their written agreement to the rules and anyone who does not comply with them will be liable to fines, suspension or even expulsion.
Players will arrive alone in Orlando, without family members or friends, who will only be able to join them after the end of the first round of play-offs. These guests must be tested before arriving and observe three days of self-quarantine. On the sport side, the training camps will take place from July 9 to 29, with three friendly matches between teams from the same hotel, before a recovery set for July 31, even if the NBA could advance it to 30. A champion will be crowned on July 12 October at the latest.
What will the "refractories" do?
During the meetings, the substitutes will be spaced on the bench. The mask will be mandatory for unused players and technical staff. On the floor, players should avoid spitting, cleaning their noses and wiping the ball with their jersey.
In its memo, the NBA finally stresses that one of the objectives in Orlando will be to draw attention to the debates and initiatives in favor of the fight against social and racial injustice. However, in recent days, a group of around 80 players have expressed their reluctance or even their refusal to resume competition, arguing that now is the time for action to change things rather than basketball.
The boss of the League Adam Silver gave them the opportunity to make this choice, without being sanctioned. But a loss of wages awaits them for each non-contested match. Players have until June 24 to notify their team of their possible package.
Sport
Death of George Floyd: The United States is "in danger because of racism", deplores Gregg Popovich
- Sport
- Covid 19
- Coronavirus
- Disney
- NBA
- Basketball