NHL to shorten quarantine following positive COVID-19 test

Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

NHL to shorten quarantine for players following positive COVID-19 test

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 12/29/21

The NHL and NHL Players' Association have agreed to shorten the isolation period for players who test positive for COVID-19 from 10 days to five days if they produce a negative and are asymptomatic, multiple sources reported Wednesday.

Sources: NHL & NHLPA engaged in talks about allowing asymptomatic players to return to play earlier.

The two sides have been in constant communication about protocols, but latest push follows new CDC recommendation shortening isolation periods. NBA has made similar adjustment.
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) December 28, 2021

In a memo released on Wednesday, the league said players who exit the protocol after five days must still wear a mask in team facilities for an additional five days after.

NEWS: #NHL has officially shortened isolation period to 5 days with a negative test - IF allowed by local health authorities.#NHL now in line with CDC guidelines, according to memo distributed to teams today which was obtained by @DailyFaceoff.

Here’s the updated protocol ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/XLp9Ghq0va
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 29, 2021

One caveat in the new ruling is that local health officials have to sign off on it, ESPN summarized. While the NFL and NBA have gone through similar steps in recent weeks to shorten isolation times for athletes, the NHL will have a potentially more difficult time because it has seven teams based in Canada where the required isolation period is still 10 days.

The league was still postponing games after operations resumed this week due to travel and crowd restrictions north of the border.

SCHEDULE UPDATE: @NHL postpones one game due to COVID-related issues and nine games due to Canadian attendance restrictions.

Full release: https://t.co/xBNA4hKsO6 pic.twitter.com/edfOM7qckp
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 28, 2021

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