NBA Releases New Restrictions on Player Travel During Coronavirus Stoppage
By Dylan McCaffrey
In what is the most restrictive policy the NBA has ever enacted, the league announced it is not allowing players to leave North America to prevent spreading or contracting of COVID-19, or Coronavirus.
A memo sent to NBA players states that they are not allowed to leave the country, and it would be preferred if they stay in the city they play for.
Players will not be allowed to travel outside of North America, league tells teams in a memo. https://t.co/6xLWddo2LC
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 19, 2020
It is unclear if there would be a punishment for the players, or what that would even look like. The NBA has never restricted their players to this length and, frankly, we're in uncharted territory.
It isn't surprising or unfair that this restriction would be placed either. If the NBA is going to suspend their season, costing owners millions of dollars, then they're taking it very seriously.
ESPN story on NBA owners and executives preparing for a minimum three month hiatus — and awaiting league office’s projections on financial damage. https://t.co/BX6WsDSRXQ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 16, 2020
All of it is part of the effort to quarantine players from contracting the coronavirus, just as Rudy Gobert did before the NBA season was suspended. Since there is no known vaccine at this time, the world is entering a rare state of confusion and the NBA is doing its small part to minimize it's effect.