(AP Photo / Rick Osentoski, File)
The NFL and NFLPA have agreed on the league’s coronavirus testing protocol.
The two sides have agreed to conduct daily tests to detect the virus over the course of two weeks.
Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s medical director, said more than one negative test is required before players initially enter the building to begin physical exams or any form of team activity.
After two weeks of daily testing, if the positivity rate for those tests drops below 5% among players and Level I and Level II individuals, as described in previous NFL protocols, the tests would be conducted. every two days.
If the positivity rate does not drop below that threshold, daily testing will continue until it drops.
“There is no goal line with health and safety and I think these protocols are living and breathing documents, which means that they will change as we gain new knowledge about this virus, as we gain new knowledge about transmission, as we gain new insights into testing and there are new tests and new techniques coming online, “Sills said. “We very much anticipate that these protocols will change.”
A note that just came out outlining the COVID-19 tests pic.twitter.com/RnJHRXQOKA
– Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 20, 2020
The deal comes after numerous NFL players, including Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and quarterback Kyler Murray, took to social media over the weekend to voice concerns about the lack of an NFL safety plan with a training camp that will begin this week for many of them. the athletes.
Do you want to see this?
Before players can get back to work, @NFL needs to address the health and safety concerns of its own experts so that we can stay healthy. If you want the @AZCardinals to have a full season this year, please help us by telling @NFL! #WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/CErsyZJb1A
– Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) July 19, 2020
NFLPA Vice President Sam Acho echoed the sentiment of the players Doug & Wolf of Arizona Sports Monday.
“The most important message that was said over the weekend in the #WeWantToPlay initiative is the reality that we really want to play. I think it’s as simple as that, “said Acho.
“The players want to play soccer, it’s as simple as that. We want to play in a safe environment, an environment where we will make sure we don’t spread Covid, we’re not getting Covid or at least minimizing that risk. “
Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow @AZSports
.
