'Targeted testing' move after NFL's infection wave

NEW YORK • The National Football League (NFL) said on Saturday it will introduce a new Covid-19 testing protocol in the wake of a surge in cases involving mostly vaccinated players that forced the league to postpone three weekend games for this first time this season.

In a memo sent to teams after talks between the NFL and NFL Players Association, the league said it would now adopt a "more targeted testing" plan following the current wave of infections.

Under the new regime, only unvaccinated players and individuals showing signs of Covid-19 infection will undergo mandatory testing. The current rules state vaccinated players must be tested at least once a week, a requirement which will be eliminated.

Instead, the league will subject asymptomatic players to random spot testing for the remainder of the season.

"The intensive protocols implemented last week and the rescheduling of three games were designed to stop the transmission of the virus and play this week's games safely," the NFL and NFL Players Association said in a joint statement on Saturday.

"After this weekend's games, we have agreed to put into place a new set of protocols, which will include a more targeted testing plan, more flexibility for players to attend meetings virtually and also a high-risk player opt-out for the remainder of the season."

More than 100 NFL players have tested positive for Covid-19, a dramatic uptick in cases of the virus which comes as the new Omicron variant ripples around the world.

But according to American media reports, most of the cases involved vaccinated players showing either mild or no symptoms of the disease - a fact prompting the testing protocol rethink.

The postponed games - Las Vegas Raiders v Cleveland Browns, Washington v Philadelphia Eagles, and Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles Rams - will be held today and tomorrow.

While the NFL is taking the targeted testing route, the National Hockey League (NHL) is instead adopting a more wide-ranging approach. Under the measures announced on Saturday and in place until at least Jan 7, players will be tested daily instead of every third day, though they do not need tests on days off.

Additional pre-game testing may be implemented on a case-by-case basis when an outbreak occurs within a team, following a consultation with the NHL and the league's players' association.

A ban on dining-in at restaurants and bars open to the public while teams are on the road and team parties was also imposed.

The decision comes after the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers were shut down through at least Sunday because of Covid-19 concerns.

According to ESPN, more than 130 NHL players have been placed on the league's protocol list this season.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS