NFL to begin 1st phase of limited reopening with facilities for staff
May 15, 2020, 3:39 PM | Updated: May 17, 2020, 1:43 pm
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks ahead of the first round at the NFL football draft in Nashville, Tenn. In a memo sent to the 32 teams Monday, April 6, 2020, and obtained by The Associated Press, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell outlined procedures for the April 23-25 draft. The guidelines include no group gatherings. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, FIle)
(AP Photo/Steve Helber, FIle)
The National Football League released a memo on Friday, with commissioner Roger Goodell telling teams they may reopen facilities for staff and rehabilitating players on Tuesday, the league’s first phase of reopening amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the memo, Goodell says that members of the coaching staff and players are still barred from the facilities. Only players undergoing rehab or medical treatment will be allowed in, while teams are able to let a maximum of 50% of its staff in the building and no more than 75 people total.
The Arizona Cardinals announced Sunday they will open their team facilities, marking one of the numerous teams across the NFL opening up this week.
Teams are able to reopen facilities if they meet local health regulations put forward by the team’s corresponding state. The NFL will hold a required virtual training course on Monday with teams’ infection control officers.
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As far as team staff back in the building, the memo notes personnel, football operations or football administration staff, equipment staff, medical staff and nutritionists. Strength and conditioning coaches are not to return until coaches do unless they are involved in a player’s rehab process.
Goodell says that if all goes according to plan, more staff, including coaches, will be allowed back “in a relatively short time.”
