The NHL and NHLPA have agreed to changes in COVID-19 testing policies; this is a game-changer
This is big. Per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the NHL and NHLPA have apparently agreed that, following the All-Star break, they would no longer test asymptomatic players and staff members.
This would essentially accomplish two things. One, it would limit any further delays in the schedule due to having far less postponements and two, it would allow for much more flexibility for players and staff to get back to "business as usual".
According to Friedman, testing would still occur for players and staff who exhibit symptoms and also when cross-border travel is required, but other than that, teams will not be expected to test on a routine basis.
We can discuss whether or not that decision is socially responsible until we're blue in the face, but at some point, I think we're all going to have to acknowledge that COVID is here to stay and that it has controlled the vast majority of our everyday lives for the last 2 years.
Fellow hockey insider Frank Seravalli added the following:
"The NHL told teams today that 73% of the league's rosters have tested positive this season and approximately 60% have tested positive in the last five weeks.
Current protocol remains in place until Feb. 3.
NHL and NHLPA must meet and review reported protocol changes on Jan. 31"
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