One day after the NHL hit pause on the 2019-20 season, a league-wide memo went out to players addressing what's next amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
According to Los Angeles Times columnist Helene Elliott, "players are being asked to self-quarantine for six days." The move comes after it was announced that the Utah Jazz's Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday, leading to the suspension of the NBA season.
“While ‘self-quarantine’ will undoubtedly impose lifestyle limitations and may seem like an overly precautious measure,” a memo from deputy commissioner Bill Daly to the board of governors, general managers and players read, as relayed by The Athletic's Adam Portzline, which also told players to out at home or outdoors, "adherence to the principles for the relatively brief period of time that our medical experts deem important should allow us to be in the best position possible to assess next steps regarding the potential resumption of play.”
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Considering NHL and NBA teams share facilities and arenas, the quarantine was prudent in light of recent events; however, commissioner Gary Bettman continues to reiterate that there has not been a confirmed case among this league's players.
But what comes after the quarantine?
The Associated Press' John Wawrow reported the memo dictated a two-phase plan where "team facilities [would be] closed except to players requiring rehab to long-term injuries," followed by opening them up to the rest of the roster for workouts and skates.
Phase 2 could -- stress could -- ideally happen within 1 to 2 weeks, but is contingent on developing state of the coronavirus and advice of health officials.
— John Wawrow (@john_wawrow) March 13, 2020
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Portzline noted that after these steps, and when it appears the season may be close to resuming, there would be a "training camp period."
As of now, players are expected to remain in their team's city unless their immediate family resides somewhere else in North America.