NHL will stop testing asymptomatic players, coaches and staff who are fully vaccinated following the All-Star break in early February, saying coronavirus cases continue to decline across the league.The league and players’ association announced the protocol changes Tuesday.
The current policy will remain in place until the All-Star break begins Feb. 3.Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour, who is expected to be behind the bench for the Metropolitan Division at All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas, called the change “common sense.”“The players have done all they can, done all their vaccinations — all that stuff that they can do,” Brind’Amour said.“I don’t know why they would be testing them, to be honest with you, if they’re asymptomatic, so I agree with this decision.
I think it’s a good one.”There will still be testing of asymptomatic individuals when it is needed for crossing the U.S.-Canada border.
Testing will not be required at All-Star Weekend, with one negative result needed to return to team facilities after the break.The 90-day testing “holiday” for players, coaches and staff who recover from COVID-19 will remain in place.New York Islanders forward Matt Martin pointed out that with the playoffs a little over three months away, not testing asymptomatic players is a smart move that could keep rosters from being decimated at that time.“I think it’s a step in the right direction,” Martin said. “Hopefully we can continue to move forward and get back to a normal way of life.”The NHL and NHLPA also agreed to keep the five-day isolation period that went into effect Dec.