NHL announces enhanced COVID-19 measures amid rise in cases
Under the measures players will be tested daily instead of every third day, though they do not need tests on off days.
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The National Hockey League on Saturday said it would postpone all Boston Bruins and Nashville Predators games at least through Dec. 26 due to the spread of COVID-19.
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The league had already shut down the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers through at least that date because of the rising number of players testing positive for the virus.
Due to a number of Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks players entering COVID-19 protocols over the past two days, the league said it was postponing Saturday’s Toronto-Vancouver game, as well as Sunday’s Arizona Coyotes-Canucks and Maple Leafs-Seattle Kraken games.
The league said it was in the process of reviewing and revising its regular season schedule.
The measures “strongly recommended” that players and all members of the traveling staff wear masks at team facilities and in public indoor places and maintain physical distancing during meals.
The measures also include a ban on “eating or drinking in indoor restaurants, bars and similar establishments open to the public” while teams are on the road, avoiding the use of public transport and reduced interactions with the public.
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The NHL also shut down the Boston Bruins and Nashville Predators through Dec. 26. A league statement said the decision was made due to the “rising number of positive cases as well as the potential for continued COVID spread in the coming days.”
“The decision was made by the NHL’s, the NHLPA’s and the Clubs’ medical groups,” read the NHL’s statement. “The League is in the process of reviewing and revising its regular season schedule.”
Four Bruins games were postponed: Saturday at Montreal, Sunday at Ottawa, Tuesday vs. Carolina and Thursday vs. Colorado.
Three Predators contests were postponed: Sunday at Carolina, Tuesday vs. Winnipeg and Thursday at Florida.
Boston and Nashville both had eight players in COVID-19 protocols as of Saturday afternoon, while Vancouver had six and Toronto four.
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