THE NBA released tentative health and safety protocols to its teams Tuesday, detailing how unvaccinated players will be tested far more often than their vaccinated colleagues and face a slew of other restrictions. Among the rules for unvaccinated players: They will not be able to eat in the same room with vaccinated teammates or staff, must have lockers as far away from vaccinated players as possible, and must stay masked and at least two meters away from all other attendees in any team meeting. Further, unvaccinated players will be “required to remain at their residence when in their home market,” teams were told in the draft of the rules, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press. They will also need to stay on team hotel properties when on the road. In both cases, there are limited permissible exceptions — such as going to buy groceries, taking children to school and the like. And unvaccinated players also will not be permitted to visit “higher-risk settings,” the NBA said, such as restaurants, bars, clubs, entertainment venues, and large indoor gatherings. The league is working with the National Basketball Players Association to finalize the protocols, but some details were agreed upon weeks ago — including provisions where unvaccinated players will be tested on all practice, travel, team activity and game days. Fully vaccinated players will not be subject to testing, with very limited exceptions. Fully vaccinated players — the category that at least 90 percent of the league falls into — will largely be back to business as usual. Unvaccinated players will be given rapid tests on days where teams are practicing, traveling, or having similar team events, plus will need lab-based tests on game days. “A vaccine mandate for NBA players would need an agreement with the Players Association,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said Tuesday. (SD-Agencies) | 