NFL lifts most COVID-19 protocols for vaccinated players

The NFL has updated its COVID-19 guidance for players, lifting most rules for those who have been vaccinated and keeping most restrictions in place for those who haven’t.

The Associated Press obtained a memo sent out to the teams on Wednesday listing the new protocols. 

Vaccinated players will be able to eat meals as a team, leave hotels when traveling and interact with fans and other people, use the sauna and steam room and go to media activities.

Vaccinated media members will be able to go to the locker rooms, press box, sidelines and field and the postgame interview room.

Unvaccinated NFL players will not be allowed to do any of that on top of having to get tested everyday, abide by social distancing guidelines and wear masks, according to AP. Unvaccinated media members won’t have any access listed for the vaccinated members.   

The rules come as teams are working on getting all their players vaccinated with some vaccine hesitancy being seen in the NFL.

Teams such as the Washington Football team have brought in experts so players can ask questions and become more comfortable getting the vaccine. 

“She was outstanding,” Washington Football Team coach Ron Rivera said after an expert came to speak to players “Our players were engaged, they asked a lot of good questions and off of that, we had several guys that are getting vaccinated and have gotten vaccinated because of that. Again, I think the big thing is we’ve got to be able to facilitate the opportunity for these guys to understand.”

Players who aren’t vaccinated who break any of the protocols could be fined $50,000, AP noted.