Updates

FAQs regarding the 2021 COVID-19 Protocols

Facility Protocol

Q. At training camp, is a club permitted to do a pre-practice show on the field before the players arrive? If so, is it permissible for tiered individuals (e.g., equipment room staff) to set up for practice on the edges of the field during the pre-practice show?

A. This is permissible as long as the tiered staff remain 20 feet away from the individuals participating in the show.

Q. Are players and tiered staff permitted to interact and mingle with their families after training camp practices?

A. No. Family members may attend training camp practice but must remain 20 feet away from players and tiered staff, even at the club facility following practice.

Q. If a club conducts a training camp practice at its stadium rather than its own facility, will the club be allowed to open a field lounge and sidelines for fans if all fans are more than 20 feet away from the field/tiered individuals?

A. Yes. Clubs may have fans on the sidelines if they remain 20 feet away from players and tiered staff. Fans may also sit in the stands, even if the first row is less than 20 feet from the sidelines.

Q. If a club conducts a training camp practice at its stadium, fans must enter and exit through a location separate from players. If the location is the same but timed to avoid any interaction at all, is that acceptable?

A. Yes, but the club must detail how this will be accomplished in its Infectious Disease Emergency Response (IDER) Plan.

Gameday Protocol

Q. All media in the press box must be vaccinated. Can non-media be in the press box as well? If so, is there a requirement that they be vaccinated?

A. The press box will be a fully vaccinated space for the 2021 season. Individuals that are briefly accessing the press box to perform their job function, such as food service staff, are not required to be vaccinated. Although, these individuals must wear masks and maintain physical distancing. Staff who will be stationed in the press box for long periods of time must be fully vaccinated.

Q. Audio/control rooms (game entertainment operations) are an extension of the press box. Do all individuals in those rooms need to be vaccinated?

A. NFL Football Operations will issue a memorandum regarding vaccination requirements for individuals in these areas (e.g., ATC spotter, press box, IR (replay) booth, shooting locations).

Q. What are the rules surrounding post-game field access? Can a club allow individuals on the field regardless of vaccination status once the players and other tiered individuals have exited?

A. Yes. Once players and tiered personnel from both clubs have exited the field, clubs can determine access to the field.

Q. Will the league require extra locker room space to visiting teams this year?

A. Clubs are not required to provide additional space beyond the visiting team locker room this year. Visiting clubs must assign lockers to unvaccinated players to ensure they maintain physical distance from other unvaccinated players.

Q. Will gameday staff, who are required to be vaccinated, be permitted to use a locker room or will they be asked to arrive at the stadium dressed for the game?

A. If the required locker room space is available, any additional locker room space may be used at the club’s discretion.

Q. To get vaccinated pregame guests to the viewing areas, the guests will need to pass by player entry tunnels. Is using the same tunnel permissible?

A. Yes, this is permitted. Clubs must take measures to ensure that guests are escorted to the viewing area during times when players/tiered staff are not accessing the tunnels.

Q. Assuming we keep to the 10-foot rule and stanchion the viewing areas, can we have different timed sessions for pre-game viewing?

A. Yes, if the ingress/egress of all groups is monitored and complies with all protocols.

Q. Following pre-game warm-ups, can vaccinated guests with on-field pregame access, stand in a stanchioned section in the back of the tunnel to watch players run through the tunnel to the field?

A. This is permissible if the guests are fully vaccinated and remain 10 feet away from players.

Q. Will individuals 12 and under be allowed to participate in on-field pregame experiences without proof of vaccination?

A. No. Under the current protocols, individuals with pregame field access must be fully vaccinated.

Q. Can we have vaccinated but non-player/non-tiered individuals participate in the pre-game coin toss process or do the three representatives listed in protocol mean players?

A. No. The three representatives must be players.

The NFL and NFLPA have agreed on a comprehensive set of health and safety protocols that clubs are required to adhere to as players return to training camp. These steps are based on expert advice to help reduce risk and protect the health and safety of players and staff.

Consistent with last year, club personnel are designated into specific tiers:

• Tier 1: Players and essential football personnel whose job function requires direct access to players for more than 10 minutes at a time on a regular basis.
• Tier 2: Other essential personnel who may need to be near players and other Tier 1 individuals and who may need to access restricted areas periodically.

Each club must limit the number of individuals traveling on team transportation to 85 but allows additional Tier 1 and Tier 2 staff up to the applicable daily tier limits to separately attend practice.

Any additional Tier 1 and Tier 2 staff who attended the joint practice must leave the city of the preseason game prior to the game.

Below are some additional protocols in place for 2021 training camp and preseason:

• Fans can return to training camp as long as they follow team facility protocols and remain 20 feet away from the practice field. They will not be permitted to interact with players and personnel.
• The press box will be a fully vaccinated space for the 2021 season.
• Individuals with pregame field access must be fully vaccinated.
• Following pre-game warm-ups, guests with on-field pregame access can stand in a stanchioned section in the back of the tunnel to watch players run through the tunnel to the field. They must be fully vaccinated and remain 10 feet away from players.

Protocols are as of July 8, 2021. Policies and procedures may evolve.