By Antigoni Zachari / info@eurohoops.net
A month before the new EuroLeague season begins, teams were informed via a draft protocol about the competition’s new series of guidelines to protect public health in the midst of the pandemic, as Walla informed. Eurohoops sources mention that the protocol is expected to be finalized on September 15.
According to the report, the outline offered by the Euroleague mentions that all players and coaches will be required to undergo at least one coronavirus test per week, three days before a game takes place. In countries where the infection rate is high, there will be two weekly tests, with the additional test scheduled for the day before the game. In case of a positive test, EuroLeague does not expect the entire team to go into isolation, following the NBA’s example, meaning that games will not have to be postponed.
The names of the players (or coaches) who might test positive will not be published in the media unless approved by the infected persons themselves and the competition officials. In the event of a positive test result, the infected individual will be tested again twice – the next day and three and a half days later. Infected players will be expected to remain out of action for two weeks and have to turn in two negative tests before returning to the court.
Additionally, each team will appoint a permanent COVID-19 manager in the next two weeks, while there is still fog about the conditions upon which fans can return to the arenas.