NFL and NBA set to use SafeZone tag for COVID-19 contact tracing when training resumes

American sports leagues NFL and NBA have reportedly opted use of SafeZone tag for contact tracing and social distancing during training camps before ir respective leagues begin after coronavirus lockdown. NBA season is slated to restart on July 30, at  Walt Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports complex. NFL, on or hand, is scheduled to begin on September 10, barring any developments due to COVID-19 pandemic. Both leagues have opted strict social distancing measures and coronavirus protocols have been placed to ensure that leagues can run smoothly. 

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NFL, NBA use SafeZone tag for coronavirus contact tracing 

According to CNBC, NFL players will be given a wearable smart tag when y return to training this week, that will monitor ir social distancing measures, and tap how long do se interactions occur. NBA has also seen use of se devices at NBA Bubble campus in Orlando. SafeZone tag, developed by Kinexon, is one of latest devices NFL and NBA are set to use to monitor social distancing and maintenance of protocol in ir respective camps. SafeZone tag alerts users when y break social distancing rules and monitors who y are in close contact with.

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German-based company h been working with more than 100 sports teams for years to develop efficient performance tracking tools but shifted to coronavirus contact tracing amidst COVID-19 crisis. Unlike ir performance tracking devices, where coaches and physios are provided with valuable insight through precise location and movement tracking, SafeZone tag only measures proximity between people and length of time interactions occur.  devices were also used by DFB (German Football Association) during Bundesliga restart. For privacy purposes,  company said data will remain anymous during course of NBA and NFL campaigns. 

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Players in NBA bubble were provided with respective coronavirus contact tracing devices before training began in Orlando complex. However, SafeZone tags are only mandatory for league officials and members of media. CNBC furr reports that devices will t be used by NBA to find GPS locations of ir respective owners. coronavirus contact tracing device is size of an Apple Airpods case and can be sported as a wristband, as an ID Card or can be placed in equipment during games and practice. device turns red when a player or staff member comes within six feet of ar person, and sounds an audible alarm within five seconds. 

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NFL has me coronavirus contact tracing device mandatory for everyone with teams resuming training this week. NFL provided teams and players with procedures and protocols to follow during season amidst COVID-19 pandemic and has issued that SafeZone tags must be worn during team activities, practice and team travel. players and staff will receive devices each day when y check-in and will return it back during end of day so that data can be recorded and device can be disinfected. In an event of a player or staff testing positive for COVID-19, device will have a record of everyone y have been in contact with.

(Im Courtesy: nfl.com, nba.com)