The NFL is beginning to ease its restrictions on team personnel entering team facilities after closing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The league on March 25 mandated the closure of all team facilities with limited exceptions for players rehabbing injuries and the personnel required to help them rehab. On May 19, teams can begin returning on a limited basis, but the 49ers won’t be among the clubs reopening their buildings according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.
Since Santa Clara County has yet to move on to Phase 2 of the state’s plan to re-open, the 49ers and team personnel won’t be allowed back into their facility since they’re not considered essential. The NFL’s guidelines for re-opening require clubs to follow state rules.
This isn’t a significant blow for the 49ers and other teams unable to return. The league’s rules stipulate that no players or coaches will be allowed into the facilities, and that only 50 percent of the staff with no more than 75 total people may be in the building. That means only front office members, medical staff, nutrition staff and equipment staff would’ve been able to enter anyway.
Wagoner also reported Santa Clara County is aiming to move to Phase 2 by the end of May once it reaches its required COVID-19 testing benchmarks. Once Santa Clara moves on to Phase 2, the 49ers should be able to begin working on from their facility on the limited basis with safety protocols mandated by the NFL.
Catching up to the initial phase of the league’s resumption of standard operations isn’t the only hurdle for San Francisco to clear. The team could also encounter similar issues with the state staying behind others in moving forward in its re-opening. If the league starts allowing practices or players re-entering team buildings, the 49ers could find themselves either behind or moving their operations to an area where they can follow the rest of the league. The NFL may also hold off on moving forward with any drastic steps until all states and counties housing NFL teams are on the same page.
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