No mandatory playoff bubbles, but NFL teams can use two airplanes to travel to away postseason games
Packers, Chiefs wrap up divisions, assume No. 1 seeds
POWER RANKINGS:Packers, Bills continue ascent as Saints, Steelers drop
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The league also extended current protocols that allow teams to provide local hotel rooms for players who live with roommates or family members to seek to avoid possible exposure to the virus from cohabitants. The cost of such lodging does not count against the salary cap.
In essence, the league is reiterating that it would allow local postseason bubbles for teams on a voluntary basis. For such bubbles to be mandatory, approval from the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) would be needed. It is unclear whether the NFLPA would sign off on mandatory local bubbles for the postseason.
In any event, the league’s memo acknowledged concern of community spread occurring in a bubble situation as it will now require players and staff who lodge at a club-provided hotel to wear electronic contact tracing devices.
“The prohibition against gathering and the requirements to wear masks and practice physical distancing will continue to apply to players and staff staying at a club-provided hotel in their local area,” the memo stated.
The updated protocols send a clear message: Having advanced this far in the season, the NFL is determined to stay the course — and on schedule to the finish line.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Jarrett Bell on Twitter @JarrettBell.
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