Only staff vaccinated in locker rooms on NFL game days – WAVY.com

The NFL has demanded that only fully vaccinated staff, with a maximum of 50, have access to the locker rooms while players are present on game days.

In a note sent to the 32 teams and obtained by The Associated Press, the policy takes effect immediately. Staff covered by the policy include coaches, athletic coaches, equipment employees, a general manager, a team safety representative, three club communications media workers and a support staff member. from the clubhouse.

Players are not required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, but the NFL has reported that over 90% of them are.

“Media not affiliated with a club will not be allowed in the locker room,” the memo dated Wednesday read. “In the event that a player needs medical attention in the locker room or if a club chooses to conduct drug and steroid sample collections on match day, a medical professional or sample collector … can access the players’ locker rooms without being included in the maximum of 50 people with locker room access, provided they are fully vaccinated.

A team’s COVID-19 protocol coordinator can also access the locker room to manage Kinexon devices (which are used for contact tracing, social distancing, and locating a person) or to perform disinfection as required by them. league protocols not counting in the maximum of 50. All of these individuals must be fully immunized.

The teams conclude the three-game preseason this weekend. The regular season begins September 9 with Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay hosting Dallas. The first full list of games is September 12.