Published 18:41 IST, June 12th 2020

NBA's plan to return with 22 teams 'very creative' and 'not reckless': Dr Anthony Fauci

Dr Anthony Fauci, who is the director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, recently spoke about NBA's plan to return in July with 22 teams.

Reported by: Devika Pawar
Follow: Google News Icon
  • share
null | Image: self
Advertisement

Dr Anthony Fauci, who is director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, recently spoke about NBA's plan to return in July with only 22 teams at Walt Disney World in Orlando. Dr Fauci has previously commented on sports and how y could return amid coronavirus pandemic. In a recent interview, Dr Fauci gave his views on NBA's return, referring to league's method as 'very creative'.

Also re | Dr Anthony Fauci calls coronavirus 'worst nightmare' as compared to Ebola, HIV: Dr Anthony Fauci on COVID-19

Advertisement

Dr Anthony Fauci calls NBA's return format in Orlando 'very creative'

Also re | NBA 22 team playoff details: Schedule, impact of draft, key dates and or crucial details for NBA 22 team playoff return

While talking to Stium's Michael Kim, Fauci also stated that he was pleased to see that decision to return was 't reckless at all'. In April, Dr Fauci h suggested that sports could make a summer return. During interview with New York Times, Dr Fauci stated that while he would love all sports to be back, he needs to disagree as a health official, physician and scientist. He ded that country is 't rey' for an NFL or NBA return. 

Advertisement

If authorities try to get things back to rmal prematurely, Dr Fauci believed that everyone will find mselves in 'same hole' once again. He even talked about how leagues could move from fans in attendance to a full attendance grually, but re is still ' guarantee'. Players needed to get tested regularly, but Dr Fauci maintained  possibility that y might t pull it off as safety cant be guaranteed.

Also re | NBA 22 team playoff update: NBA offers clarity on tiebreakers with uneven schedule for NBA teams going to Orlando

Advertisement

What are safety protocols taken by NBA?

NBA is currently discussing various safety protocols before season resumes in July. While players will be allowed to golf and eat at restaurants outside facility, y will need to follow strict social distancing measures. ESPN furr reported that everyone will be tested for COVID-19 daily within  contained environment. If a player tests positive, league will remove him from venue and quarantine him individually while continuing games.

Disney employees will also maintain strict protocols and will t be allowed to enter players' rooms. Crowding in places will also be monitored constantly. As per rian Wojnarowski, league is w finalizing terms about return-to-play with several players on a conference call. Previously, re were reports about certain players being unhappy about return as it is unsafe.

Advertisement

Also re | NBA playoff update: NBA teams going to Orlando and NBA 22 team playoff details

(Im source: AP)

18:41 IST, June 12th 2020