The New Orleans Pelicans re-opened their practice facility on Monday and seven players were back to practice, according to Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin.
Griffin told pelicans.com in a conference call that 11 players remained in New Orleans after the NBA suspended its season on March 11 but four players left after learning the new practice guidelines.
“We did a Zoom meeting with all of our players and walked them through the protocols, and after that four guys left, believing that they could get more done on their own, and that’s fine; we’re very comfortable with that,” Griffins said on the conference call.
The following list of guidelines were provided by USA TODAY:
- No more than four players are allowed at the facility at a time.
- Workouts are voluntary.
- One staffer may be in attendance, but that staffer cannot be the head coach or first-row assistant coach or member of the front office.
- People must be at least 12 feet apart at all times.
- Teams must use the one player, one basket rule; i.e., two players cannot shoot at the same basket.
- The NBA wants teams to stagger workout sessions to reduce interactions among players.
- Each team must name a senior executive as the facility hygiene officer to ensure requirements are instituted and followed, and each team must provide that person’s name to the NBA.
- No use of hot tubs, cold tubs, saunas or oxygen or cryotherapy chambers.
- All equipment must be thoroughly disinfected. Spalding has provided instructions detailing how to clean and disinfect basketballs properly. The NBA has also recommended a specific hardwood floor cleaner for courts.
- Temperatures must be taken for anyone entering the facility; monitor everyone for any COVID-19 symptoms and require players and staffers to report symptoms for themselves, household members or close contacts.
- Only single-use food (nutrition bars) and beverages (bottled hydration drinks) can be provided by the team for consumption at the facility.
- Follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols for cleaning and disinfecting facilities.
- Review and update the HVAC system and consider using an environmental health consultant to evaluate the facility.
- Have a designated COVID-19 testing area.
- Conduct at one least one remote meeting for players and staffers so they understand the requirements and recommendations for the facility.
- Provide the league with names of players and staffers who used the facility during the week, along with dates of their workouts.
Griffins did note in the conference call that rookie Zion Williamson and forward Kenrich Williams were at the complex to receive treatment.