NBA has confirmed that more than 1/3rd of on-court officials are under COVID-19 protocol.
The end of 2021 is upon us, NBA has somehow completed around 40% of its schedule, but Covid-19 and its new variant Omicron is still causing havoc within the NBA world. We already had many news and headlines surrounding the players and coaches entering the Covid-19 health and safety protocol, it is now the league’s referees who are in news for the same reason.
The league has confirmed upon ESPN’s senior NBA insider, Adrian Wojnarowski’s report about NBA on-court authorities being sidelined due to health and safety protocol. In his reports, he had an exact number – 25 out of 70 active game officials being quarantined.
Referees are 100% vaccinated as per NBA mandate for their staff. But new variant Omicron is now forcing them to enter the protocol. With a limited number of game officials, the league previously continued some matches with 2 officials rather than the standard count of 3. The Suns against the Hornets (19th Dec) and the Spurs against Detroit Pistons (26th Dec) were recent examples of it.
The League has planned to avoid any further delays and go ahead with the schedule. The league now has CDC guidelines (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) to follow and need to work around solution for the Pandemic.
The league has already taken quick actions to avoid any further damages. As per sources, testing will be more. Also, the protocol’s quarantine period is shortened to 6 days for asymptomatic players, coaches, and officials.
League is also promoting G-league officials to officiate NBA matches, where ever required. G-league matches were on hold for Covid-19 till 29th Dec 2021. These are some “quick-fix” solutions that the league has come up with to complete the schedules on time.
In the longer run, the league and National Basketball Referee Association have agreed upon better travel mode and stay facilities for the officials. Previously officials did not have any such privileges as players and coaches. This will reduce the referee’s potential exposure to the viruses.
Also, the basketball association is planning for booster doses to referees, as agreed upon by the league and NBRA. Upcoming Wednesday is the timeline for the same.
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