The danger of coronavirus is becoming a big factor around the NBA and the New Orleans Pelicans are making sure to be prepared for the illness.
As the New Orleans Pelicans head out for a 4 game road trip, which kicks off on Sunday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, players, coaches and staff are taking precautions in wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
The NBA has been in constant contact with its teams over the week, sending a memo on March 1 to players detailing the history of the virus as well as laying out steps they should take to limit their exposure and keep safe.
One of the requested guidelines is for players to avoid high fives with fans and offer fist bumps instead.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported on Friday that a memo sent by the NBA to teams that day stated that they should be prepared to play without fans in attendance, should it be necessary.
NBA has been sending several informational memos to teams in order to prepare for whatever develops from coronavirus situation. A reminder of existing rules regarding postponement or cancellations of games was provided Friday night. https://t.co/17ac6wSiDt
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 7, 2020
The memo asked teams to identify “actions required if it were to become necessary to play a game with only essential staff present.”
On Saturday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the NBA sent a new memo to teams that they are required to have several plans in place by Tuesday and will be holding a conference call with team doctors and trainers on Monday.
New memo to to teams says each is required to have several plans in place by Tuesday, including arrangement with an infectious disease specialist, the IDing of a facility to test for coronavirus, a plan to limit number of team and arena staff who'd interact with players. https://t.co/qsmIf30Fxe
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 8, 2020
Pelicans Coach Alvin Gentry addressed the potential of some games being played without any fans in place, saying, “It wouldn’t surprise me if that did happen”, according to Rod Walker on NOLA.com.
"Gentry also noted that fans should not be offended if players didn’t high five them at the game, “I don’t want anyone to think it’s something personal. With everything and how easily it can be transferred, I think you’ve got to understand those situations. … The information we got from the league said bumping elbows would be better than shaking hands. Even with each other. It’s gotten to that point now. It’s a really, really difficult situation. I think we’ve all got to be as responsible as we can and manage it as best we can."
Rookie forward Nicolò Melli, who hails from Italy, which has over 100,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, told the media, “When it comes to health, you can’t mess around, you cannot joke.”
As more tests are done and more information comes out, the number one priority of the NBA, and it’s players, coaches, employees and fans, is safety.
If you have questions on the coronavirus and need more information on how to prevent the spread of the disease, please go to the CDC’s website.