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The NFL and NFLPA recently agreed to loosen coronavirus restrictions across the league. But the recent unfortunate spike in cases which has been fueled by the delta variant is causing the player’s union to revisit their recently agreed upon protocols with the league.
According to a recent memo from the union to the NFL obtained by The Washington Post, the NFLPA would like to return back to stricter COVID-19 protocols.
“Based on the guidance of our medical experts and what we know about this new variant, this is the best defense we have to prevent infections and protect you and your families, while also executing a full season,” the NFLPA wrote in its memo, a copy of which was obtained by The Washington Post.
The union wrote that it will recommend to the league that vaccinated players and staffers be tested for the coronavirus each day they enter a team facility.
As of now, the NFL reportedly hasn’t addressed the latest memo from the NFL. But the NFLPA is clearly trying to get ahead of a situation that can go south very quickly if not handled properly.
Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians recently spoke about the team’s percentage of players being vaccinated. But if the NFLPA gets through to the NFL, vaccinated or not, everyone will be going back to getting tested.
“On August 13th, we’ll be 92% (vaccinated) – close to 100, really. We have a couple guys who’ve had it and can’t get their vaccine – as soon as they get their shot, two weeks later they’ll be good. Pretty much we’ll be close to 100%, at least 98%, for the first game. August 13th, we’ll be over 90%.”