NBA: Strict measures in 113-page manual as games resume

The NBA will be observing strict safety protocols when the league resumes its 2020 season on July 31st in its Orlando ‘bubble’ site.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania has detailed all the important information regarding the NBA’s return to action with 22 teams participating.

The NBA has published a 113-page health and safety manual for all participants of the season’s return in Orlando, inside the Disney’s ESPN World Wide of Sports Complex.

🏰 Disney MagicBand
🙅‍♂️ Social distancing
☎️ A hotline to report potential violations

Take a look at details of the NBA’s 113-page health and safety manual for life inside the bubble, new from @ShamsCharania & @sam_amick ⤵️https://t.co/FFaGmpt8W5

— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) June 17, 2020

The league has informed its squads that there will be a required 35-person contingent for each squad which includes various team personnel.

Sources: NBA teams have been informed of required positions for 35-person traveling party: athletic trainer; strength/conditioning coach; equipment manager; team security official.

Each team can include a player’s private personal trainer, massage therapist, or security.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 16, 2020

All teams will be housed in 3 separate hotels just near the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex where the games will be played.

In NBA's ORL campus:

– Hotel amenities: players-only lounge (NBA 2K, TVs, gaming), pool/trails, barbers, manicurists, pedicurists
– 24-hour VIP concierge
– Daily entertainment: Movie screenings, DJ sets, video games, ping pong, pool, lawn games
– Players can attend other games

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 16, 2020

Come game day, coaches are encouraged to wear masks. Referees are not required to wear masks.

There shall also be two rows for each team bench, composed of players and coaches.

NBA Refs will not be required to wear masks, sources say. https://t.co/jIJLtMWrMG

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 17, 2020

All players are also required to wear high-tech bands while in the “campus.”

Mandatory for everyone to wear in NBA bubble: MagicBands, which function as room key, security check points, coronavirus testing check-ins.

Full breakdown/details of NBA’s health and safety protocols on @TheAthleticNBA with @sam_amick: https://t.co/QOrcs8ZH2v

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 17, 2020

Players who wish to be excluded from playing due to safety concerns will not be penalized.

NBA players have been notified that any player who chooses not to play in resumed 2019-20 season must notify his team by June 24, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Compensation would be reduced by 1/92.6 for each game missed.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 16, 2020

All players, coaches, and other personnel will already be tested for coronavirus this June.

In addition, there will be a few tune-up games for teams before the action officially resumes.

There will be 8 regular season games to determine seeding before finally proceeding with the playoffs.