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Live updates: NHL adds extra precautions as Canadian province limits attendance at games
A surge in COVID-19 cases is disrupting sports teams and leagues around the globe, including in Boston.
We’ll be tracking the latest news, including postponements, positive tests, and other adjustments. Click here to refresh.
COVID protocols
NFL: If a player is vaccinated, they must be asymptomatic and produce at least two negative tests at least 24 hours apart. If they are unvaccinated, they are out a minimum of 10 days, and if they are asymptomatic they can come back after that period. After Thanksgiving, the NFL implemented heavier protocols and will require personnel working directly with players to get their booster by Dec. 27.
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NBA: Beginning Friday, if a player doesn’t have their booster shot — the league says more than 60 percent of players do — they will be subject to daily testing. Right now, fully vaccinated players are exempted from daily testing, and must get tested if they 1. are symptomatic, 2. come into close contact with a positive individual, or 3. are required by local guidelines. A player can return to the court after either isolating for 10 days or testing negative twice, on separate days. They must also be cleared by a team and league physician.
NHL: Nearly all NHL players are vaccinated. They’re tested a minimum of every three days. If they test positive, they must isolate a minimum of 10 days and cannot return until they are asymptomatic.
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Another Premier League game called off — Wednesday, 5 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Coronavirus infections in the Premier League led to a fourth match in five days being postponed on Thursday with Leicester’s game against Tottenham called off hours before kickoff.
It is the third consecutive Tottenham match postponed due to coronavirus cases in its squad, including a Europa Conference League game. Dealing with its own outbreak, Leicester had an earlier request to postpone the match turned down by the Premier League.
But the league said Thursday that Leicester now had an “insufficient number of players available” after further COVID-19 infections among staff and players. The training ground was closed to contain the outbreak.
“The Premier League understands this decision will disappoint and frustrate fans who were due to attend this evening’s game and apologizes for the inconvenience and disruption caused at such short notice,” the league said.
The decision was made on Thursday as Brentford manager Thomas Frank said he wants the weekend round of fixtures to be postponed to allow clubs to deal with coronavirus outbreaks.
“We should postpone the full round of Premier League games this weekend,” Frank said. “COVID cases are going through the roof at all Premier League clubs, everyone is dealing with it and having problems.”
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NFL changing COVID-19 protocols: More testing, new rules to return to play — Tuesday, 9:21 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The NFL is planning “significant changes” to its COVID-19 protocols amid the worst three-day stretch for the league during the pandemic, a person familiar with the plans told The Associated Press on Wednesday night.
The league and the NFL Players Association are discussing three main areas: testing protocols; return to play guidelines to allow asymptomatic players who’ve tested positive to return sooner; and encouraging booster shots.
The league said the number of positive cases Monday and Tuesday ended up at 88, but with players coming and going on the list, about 100 is more accurate.
Still, Commissioner Roger Goodell said there were no plans to cancel or postpone Cleveland’s home against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday. The Browns have 18 players, including half their 22 starters, on the COVID-19 reserve list.
“Listen, we’ve raised this the last two years: It’s a challenge,” Goodell said. “I think the things that made us successful was keeping safety first. Second, being willing to adapt at all times. It’s clear even in the last couple of weeks that the changes are pretty significant and different than they were before, and I think it calls to modifications to our protocols in general, and we’re working with the players association on that.”
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Sills said about two-thirds of the positive tests came from people with no symptoms. Asked if there was a chance the NFL would allow vaccinated players who tested positive to play if they didn’t have symptoms, Sills said discussions with the union were ongoing.
“It’s not about how soon we get them back,” Sills said. “We want to bring them back when it’s safe for them and when they are not at risk to others in terms of transmission.”
NFLPA President J.C. Tretter made another plea for daily testing amid the COVID-19 surge, but Sills said testing wasn’t the best way to address the league’s larger concern of spreading the virus.
Sills said players are testing positive more often than NFL staff, a change from early in the pandemic. In the past week or so, according to Sills, spread within team facilities has been a bigger concern than in the community.
NBA likely to return to daily testing — 7:04 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association are in the process of enhancing their health and safety protocols in response to rising coronavirus numbers around the league, said a person familiar with the negotiations.
Among the biggest changes: The league and the union are working to finalize a plan to return to daily testing for players and coaches, at least in the short term, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press Wednesday on condition of anonymity because nothing had been finalized or publicly announced.
Fully vaccinated players have not needed daily testing this season. The league and the union were already prepared to start daily testing on Friday for those who have yet to receive booster shots, and now may simply widen those plans.
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NHL reintroducing enhanced COVID-19 restrictions — 5:33 p.m.
By the Associated Press
With the number of coronavirus cases and game postponements climbing, the NHL is reintroducing enhanced COVID-19 protocols that include daily testing and restrictions in a bid to limit a growing outbreak among players and staff.
The enhanced protocols will be put into effect immediately and last through at least Jan. 7, a person with direct knowledge of discussions between the NHL and NHL Players’ Association told The Associated Press on Wednesday on the condition of anonymity because the talks were private.
The person said the NHL had little choice but to increase its protocols to ensure a full, 82-game season while still taking an extended Olympic break in February.
The move came within hours of an ominous step: Ontario health officials unveiled rules that will reduce capacity at the home arenas of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the NBA’s Toronto Raptors plus the Ottawa Senators to 50% starting Saturday.
The NHLPA scheduled a conference call with each of its 32 team representatives to go over the enhanced rules, with road-game restrictions — no leaving the hotel — not expected to be popular among players.
Daily testing will also return for players and coaches as part of the decision, which was reached after two days of meetings amid worsening conditions across the league. Players and staff from three more teams were added to the league’s COVID-19 protocol list Wednesday.
That included 17 members of the Calgary Flames, who also had a fourth game postponed (Saturday’s home matchup against Columbus). Coach Darryl Sutter and two assistants were on the list along with players including Rasmus Andersson, Johnny Gaudreau and others, raising the number of Calgary players in the protocol to 16.
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The league said Calgary’s “return to game play is being delayed at least through Saturday” following discussions among medical experts. Calgary’s training facilities were closed to players until further notice.
Four teams — Calgary, Carolina, Ottawa and the New York Islanders — have had outbreaks force game postponements, a total of 10 in all. But alongside that is a growing number of affected players, who under typical COVID-19 guidance would be tested at least every 72 hours if vaccinated.
The person told AP the omicron variant is responsible for the uptick in cases, and is expected to become the dominant strain if the outbreak continues.
More than 140 NHL players have been on the protocol list this season — including more than two dozen in the last two days — in a league that has proudly noted all but one of its approximately 700 players are considered fully vaccinated even if booster shots are not mandated. It is a discouraging trend for the league, which plans to allow its players to participate in the Winter Olympics in China in February unless COVID-19 disruptions prove to be too much.
Maple Leafs, Raptors, and Senators move to 50 percent capacity — 5:26 p.m.
From the AP: Ontario will limit attendance at Maple Leafs, Raptors, and Senators games in the province because of the COVID-19 surge. Venues will only be allowed to fill to 50 percent.
Omicron detected in NBA player — 4:15 p.m.
The Athletic is reporting the Omicron variant has been detected in a player.
Maple Leafs, Raptors and Senators will be limited to 50 percent capacity — 4:12 p.m.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors and Ottawa Senators will be limited to 50 per cent capacity at home games starting on Saturday after Ontario unveiled new rules on Wednesday to combat the current COVID-19 surge.
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Nantucket bans spectators at athletic events — 4:02 p.m.
The Nantucket High School athletic department announced that there will be no spectators allowed at any events. The policy will be reevaluated after the school break.
NHL situation worsens with growing Flames outbreak — 3:40 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The NHL’s coronavirus situation worsened Wednesday as players and staff from three more teams were added to the league’s COVID-19 protocol list, including seven players, three coaches and seven support staff with the Calgary Flames.
The NHL also canceled a fourth Flames game, Saturday’s home matchup against Columbus. Coach Darryl Sutter and two assistants were on the protocol list along with players including Rasmus Andersson, Johnny Gaudreau and others, raising the number of Calgary players in protocol to 16.
The league said Calgary’s “return to game play is being delayed at least through Saturday” following discussions among medical experts for the league, player’s union and team. Calgary’s training facilities were closed to players until further notice.
In all, more than 140 NHL players have been on the protocol list this season — including more than two dozen in the last two days.
Four teams — Calgary, Carolina, Ottawa and the New York Islanders — have had outbreaks that have forced game postponements, a total of 10 in all. The NHL and NHL Players’ Association met Tuesday night and again Wednesday to review COVID-19 protocols.
Puerto Rican Winter League suspends season — 1:34 p.m.
The Puerto Rican Winter League has temporarily suspended its season after 39 positive COVID-19 tests among players, coaches and staff OF the five teams in the league. The league said all were vaccinated.
NYU announces suspension of athletic activity — 1:23 p.m.
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New York University has announced the suspension of all athletic activity until further notice.
Third EPL postponement in 4 days — 12:27 p.m.
By the Associated Press
A coronavirus outbreak at Watford led to its game at Burnley being called off less than three hours before kickoff on Wednesday, becoming the third Premier League postponement in four days.
“The decision was taken following guidance from medical advisers due to an ongoing COVID-19 outbreak within Watford’s squad,” the Premier League said. “As a result, the club has an insufficient number of first team players available to fulfil the match.”
But Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers expressed his disappointment that Leicester’s request for Thursday’s game against Tottenham to be postponed was rejected by the Premier League. Leicester will be without nine players due to coronavirus-related issues and injuries.
Kings’ Alvin Gentry sidelined — 11:32 a.m.
ESPN is reporting that Sacramento Kings coach Alvin Gentry tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss tonight’s game against the Washington Wizards.
Patrice Bergeron enters COVID-19 protocol — 11:10 a.m.
Team captain Patrice Bergeron is entering COVID-19 protocols, the Bruins announced Wednesday morning.
The news comes a day after Brad Marchand, the team’s top scorer, and Craig Smith entered protocols.
Bergeron might need to miss the usual 10 days, meaning he could be out at least five games, until the Dec. 27 matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Marchand and Smith, if out 10 days, would also be sidelined until Dec. 27.
On Tuesday, without Marchand and Smith — two of their top six forwards — the Bruins lost, 4-1, to the Vegas Golden Knights at TD Garden.
Linus Ullmark, Connor Clifton, and John Moore were held out of Monday’s morning skate because of “testing issues.” Clifton and Moore were back on the ice Tuesday, on the third defensive pairing.
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Jack Studnicka and Oskar Steen were brought up from Providence on emergency recall. Neither played Monday night, and both were returned to the AHL after the game.
NHL facing slew of postponements amid COVID outbreaks — 11:00 a.m.
By Michael Silverman
The Bruins are one of several teams dealing with COVID-19 concerns. Coach Bruce Cassidy just returned to practice on Monday after testing positive and missing two weeks because of protocols.
“Honestly, I don’t know how I got it,” Cassidy said. “It can happen to anybody. I thought I was fairly safe as well, vaccinated. So you just keep your fingers crossed with this.”
The Calgary Flames, whom the Bruins played on Saturday, had three games this week postponed. That decision came before three more players entered protocol on Tuesday, running the team total to nine.
The Carolina Hurricanes, who played Calgary last Thursday, saw their Tuesday game against the Minnesota Wild postponed, with four additional positive tests putting the Hurricanes’ total at six. Their game was the NHL’s ninth postponement this season, joining Calgary’s and five last month including the Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders.
The NHL said in a statement it will provide a further update Wednesday. Plans to go on break in early February to allow its players to participate in the Beijing Olympics may be in doubt, should the league opt to use that planned break to re-schedule games.
Premier League to require vax or negative test to attend games — 10:11 a.m.
By Bloomberg News
Soccer fans in England will have to provide proof of their Covid-19 vaccination status or of a negative test when arriving at stadiums, or risk having to watch matches on the television instead.
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“Checks will take place at all Premier League grounds,” the league said in a statement Wednesday, adding that supporters risk being denied entry if they fail to show they’re vaccinated or have tested negative in the previous 48 hours.
The move is in line with new rules introduced by the U.K. government to get the country through the omicron crisis, which also expand the use of face coverings, along with an accelerated vaccine booster program.
The rules, which apply to everyone from age 18, will also require that fans fill in a self-declaration confirming that they’re able to comply with the demand even before games.
Browns’ outbreak: Mayfield, Stefanski test positive; 13 players on COVID list — 9:46 a.m.
By The Associated Press
The Browns’ COVID-19 outbreak has widened and worsened.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield and coach Kevin Stefanski tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday and will likely miss Saturday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders as Cleveland deals with a widespread outbreak during its playoff pursuit.
Stefanski’s positive test was first announced by the team, which then put Mayfield, starting safety John Johnson III, nickel back Troy Hill, defensive tackle Malik McDowell and defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
The latest positive tests came one day after the team placed eight players, including top receiver Jarvis Landry and starting offensive linemen Wyatt Teller and Jedrick Wills Jr., on the COVID-19 list.
Last week, the Browns were missing three key players due to coronavirus positives: tight end David Njoku, linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. and punter Jamie Gillan. Their status for this week remains uncertain.
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In hopes of mitigating any more spread, the Browns are holding three separate walk-through practices on Wednesday and closing them to the media.
It’s hardly an ideal situation for the Browns (7-6), who have been inconsistent all season and are preparing for Saturday’s matchup against the Raiders (6-7) on a short week. Both teams are fighting for playoff spots in the bunched-up AFC race.
Despite the outbreak in Cleveland, an NFL spokesman tells AP there’s been “no discussion of changing the game’s status.” The league said before the season that no games would be postponed because of COVID-19 outbreaks and that forfeits could be in play.
The Browns are on the extreme end of what has been a major rise in COVID-19 cases across the league this week. There were 65 reported cases on Monday and Tuesday, the worst two-day outbreak since the pandemic started.
Stefanski is vaccinated and received a booster shot, and the team said in a statement he’s “feeling fine.” He’s not currently showing any symptoms and will continue to coach the team remotely this week.
Stefanski and the other positive players will have to be asymptomatic and produce two negative tests to be eligible to participate in Saturday’s game.
Nets barely have enough players due to COVID concerns — 11:50 p.m.
By The Associated Press
The Brooklyn Nets were without seven players, including James Harden, on Tuesday night because of the NBA’s health and safety protocols.
The Nets only had enough remaining players to take the court against the Toronto Raptors because Kevin Durant was upgraded from questionable. They won, 131-129, in overtime.
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Aside from Harden, the Nets were missing starter LaMarcus Aldridge and DeAndre’ Bembry along with reserves Jevon Carter, James Johnson, Bruce Brown and Paul Millsap.
“It’s unfortunate for sure,” Brooklyn coach Steve Nash said before the game. About a half-hour after he had finished — and an hour before the opening tip — the team announced Harden and Brown had been placed into COVID-19 protocols.
“First we concern ourselves with their health and safety. Fortunately for us, they’re predominantly asymptomatic but there will be a period of time required for them to test negative (before we can) have our full group available again.”
Nash also said “a couple coaches (and) a couple staff (members)” had been placed in protocols.
“We’re not naive enough to not have concerns about more people contracting the virus, but that’s out of our hands,” Nash said. “Overall, we can’t do a lot right now except wait for results to come in and control what’s in our hands.”
Giannis, Harden enter COVID protocols — 10:01 p.m.
By the Washington Post
One day after a coronavirus outbreak forced the NBA to postpone games for the first time this season, a pair of former MVP winners entered the league’s health and safety protocols.
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden entered the coronavirus protocols Tuesday, the latest sign of mounting coronavirus concerns for the league as its annual Christmas Day showcase games approach. Antetokounmpo has been ruled out for Wednesday’s game, the Bucks said. Harden missed a matchup Tuesday with the Raptors.
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Earlier Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers canceled practice after guard Talen Horton-Tucker tested positive and was placed in the covid-19 protocols. Several teams have dealt with outbreaks, including the Chicago Bulls, who had two games postponed this week because 10 of their players, including stars DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, were in the protocols. Harden, LaMarcus Aldridge and James Johnson are among six Nets players currently in the protocols.
OBJ lands on COVID list; NFL reports 28 positives on Tuesday — 6:49 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Los Angeles Rams receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was added to the COVID-19 reserve list Tuesday as the NFL reported 28 more positive tests among players in the league’s worst two-day outbreak since the pandemic started.
There were 37 positive tests among players Monday, and the Kansas City Chiefs placed one key player in the health and safety protocols each day with a crucial AFC West matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers looming Thursday.
Beckham was among nine Rams players to go on the COVID-19 list Tuesday, pushing that club’s total to 13, while Cleveland is now dealing with its second major outbreak of the season. Receiver Jarvis Landry was among eight Browns players added to the list, putting their total at 11. Cleveland plays the Las Vegas Raiders at home Saturday.
“We’ll get our work in,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. “That’s what we do. We’ve done it before.”
Safety Jordan Fuller, the Rams’ leading tackler, and fellow defensive backs Terrell Burgess and Juju Hughes went on the list along with tight end Brycen Hopkins, tackle Alaric Jackson, injured nose tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day and practice squad members Jonah Williams and Tyler Hall. Only Beckham and Fuller have played regularly in a major role for LA this season.
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The Rams are home against Seattle on Sunday after beating NFC West-leading Arizona on Monday night. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey missed the 30-23 victory over the Cardinals after being placed in the protocols hours before kickoff. Beckham had a TD catch in the win.
Two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones of the Chiefs was placed in the COVID-19 protocol a day after receiver Josh Gordon tested positive. Coach Andy Reid wasn’t sure whether either player will be available against the Chargers.
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