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According to new COVID-19 regulations formulated by the state of Pennsylvania this week, the Eagles and Steelers could be required to wear face coverings during game activities.
The mandate reportedly supersedes the NFL’s intensive COVID-19 protocol, and it’s due to go into effect on Saturday and remain for the rest of the season.
Jaguars wide receiver D.J. Chark is one player that currently wears the shield on his face mask and the announcement caused some confusion on social media.
Are people nationally aware that the Steelers, Eagles, Penn State, etc. & their opponents will evidently be required to wear masks WHILE they are playing in PA from now on? https://t.co/Jhh3tmIl1G
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) November 20, 2020
Doug Pederson was just informed about the PA on-field mask mandate. That’s going to be a difficult one even with Oakley face shields. Most players don’t even like them #Eagles
— John McMullen (@JFMcMullen) November 20, 2020
Eagles head coach Doug Pederson had this to say about the matter on Friday.
“It’s something we’re going to explore,” Pederson said before Friday’s practice. “I don’t know if necessarily they can wear a face covering that covers their mouth and nose. I mean, there’s a mouthpiece that’s a mouth guard, that’s involved, there’s all kinds of things that we’d have to work through. But I would anticipate maybe if they’re out of the game on the sideline, yeah, I could see us wearing the masks.”
When asked further about the potential policy, Pederson gave “no comment.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter chimed in on the Twitter discussion and offered this clarification on the matter, hopefully clearing the whole matter up.
The exception in Section 3 of the order does apply to players on the field, so players would not be required to wear face coverings while in the game. https://t.co/1UtP3PGO2h
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 20, 2020
The Eagles are on the road this week for a game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Their next home game will be a huge Monday night tilt, Nov. 30 against the Seattle Seahawks.
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