NBA lifts travel restrictions for fully vaccinated personnel

The NBA has not permitted personnel to travel internationally to scout players since October due to COVID-19 concerns. ESPN's Jonathan Givony reports the league office will be eliminating such travel restrictions for individuals who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. 

Per Givony, the Association considers personnel fully vaccinated seven days after receiving the second dose of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or 14 days after receiving the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The NBA Draft is scheduled to take place July 29.

Like other leagues, the NBA is not requiring players to get vaccinated but is encouraging all personnel to receive shots as soon as they're locally available. Legends such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Russell have been featured in league-produced public service announcements promoting the safety of the vaccines. Personnel who do travel internationally for scouting purposes must "comply with all applicable government regulations" and adhere to NBA health and safety protocols. 

Like MLB, the NFL, and PGA Tour, the NBA has informed clubs that coronavirus-related restrictions can be lifted for those who receive vaccine shots. "Right now we operate under this so-called work quarantine protocol, where players are largely only going between their homes and the arenas," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in March, per Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press. "Once they get vaccinated, they’ll be able to do more in their communities. That’s something we’ve already begun talking to the players association about. So, there will be some real advantages and benefits to getting vaccinated for the players."