Vaccine against Covid-19 is not the mandate for NBA players, verified sources say
League sources have confirmed that mandatory vaccination against Covid-19 is not required for players when the new NBA season begins on October 19, 2021 (h/t ESPN).
Nevertheless, the NBA and NBPA are continuing to explore aspects of COVID-related protocols and procedures for the upcoming 2021-22 campaign. But sources say that the NBPA will stick to its demand that players are not required to administer the vaccine and any proposal that makes vaccination mandatory is a “non-starter.”
On the other hand, NBA referees and most of the NBA staff are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
A league spokesperson has recently said that roughly 85% of players are vaccinated and moreover, the league has designed a set of strict protocols for unvaccinated players.
Such protocols include having lockers situated far from vaccinated teammates and having to eat, fly and ride buses in different sections. However, the designed protocols are not final and are still subject to discussion with the NBPA.
New laws in New York and San Francisco
In early September, the NBA had informed teams that new laws in both New York and San Francisco regarding vaccine requirements will be enforced for members of the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, and Golden State Warriors — including for their teams’ players.
However, vaccine requirements will not be enforced on the said members if there’s an approved medical condition or a religious exemption.
According to a memo, in late August, the NBA informed teams that all personnel under the team who worked within 15 feet of players or officials during games would be required to be fully vaccinated by October 1, 2021 (h/t ESPN).
Notably, within the last week, President Joe Biden announced a sweeping set of vaccine mandates that could impact as many as 100 million Americans.
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