Montreal Alouettes quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. wants the CFL to follow the lead of the NFL when it comes to coronavirus protocols for vaccinated versus unvaccinated players.
According to an extensive memo obtained by NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero, the NFL and NFL Players’ Association agreed to updated COVID-19 protocols for 2021 training camp and pre-season.
Unvaccinated individuals — including players — also will be prohibited from gathering outside of the club facility or team travel, per the memo. This includes gathering for meetings, practices or training activities unless approved by the NFL and NFLPA.
NFL players who aren’t fully vaccinated will be banned from nightclubs, bars, house parties, concerts, etc., with the NFL and clubs allowed to issue fines of a game check up to $50,000 for a first offence — and more thereafter — for violating protocol.
Fully vaccinated individuals exposed to a COVID-positive individual won’t be labeled a high-risk close contact and subject to the mandatory five-day isolation that kept a bunch of players, coaches and others out of games in 2020.
Adams Jr. has seen the new modifications and was thinking out loud on Twitter: We need the same rules as the NFL, as far as vaccinated or not vaccinated players.
When CFL training camps open on July 10, rapid COVID-19 testing will be an important part of the three-down league’s health and safety protocols. The CFL has not outlined any differences for players who have chosen to be vaccinated compared to those deciding against vaccination to date.
“We at the CFL encourage everyone to get vaccinated when it’s their turn,” commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a statement. “But we also know that we must not rely on vaccination alone to keep people safe. That’s why the rapid testing that has been supported by Health Canada is vitally important to the CFL.”
