Report: NBA Won't Mandate COVID-19 Testing for Vaccinated Players

The NBA reportedly won't conduct COVID-19 tests on fully vaccinated players and team personnel during the 2021-22 season.

The NBA will not regularly conduct COVID-19 tests on fully-vaccinated players during the 2021-22 season, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.

Regular testing will still reportedly be held for non-vaccinated players and team personnel. 

The change in testing protocols is one of the NBA's new policies regarding COVID-19 for the 2021-22 season. Fully-vaccinated players will now be able to avoid a quarantine period if they come in close contact with an individual who tests positive, while a seven-day quarantine period exists for non-vaccinated players. 

Individuals who are not vaccinated will also be required to wear masks in team facilities and arena, per Charania.

Fully vaccinated individuals: Not required to quarantine if close contact. No restrictions on team activities.

Non-fully-vaccinated: Required to quarantine for seven days if close contact. Masks at facilities/team travel. Not able to sit next to other players during activities. https://t.co/ASKdCdfD1t

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 2, 2021

Unvaccinated players for teams in New York and San Francisco will not be allowed to enter home arenas in 2021-22 unless there is an approved medical or religious exemption, according to Charania. Visiting players would reportedly be exempt from the vaccination requirements.