Exclusive: Comprehensive CFL document outlining modifications to health and safety protocols for fully vaccinated tier one personnel

Photo courtesy: CFL

On Sunday the CFL sent a comprehensive memo to all teams outlining updates for fully vaccinated individuals.

The document came from the league office and outlines modifications to the health and safety plan protocols for tier one personnel — players, coaches and staff members — who are fully vaccinated. It does not apply to tier two personnel.

From the internal memo:

FULLY VACCINATED TIER 1 INDIVIDUALS IN THE CFL
EFFECTIVE AUGUST 15, 2021

Please note, that due to the ever-changing COVID-19 situation, restrictions may be added, modified, or lifted in the future. If COVID-19 cases increase, if the risk of COVID-19 in areas increases significantly and/or if there are COVID-19 outbreaks on Clubs, the CFL and CFLPA Return to Play Medical Committee may have to add back, change or update health and safety protocols. 

FULLY VACCINATED individuals are people who are 2 weeks after their 2nd dose of Pfizer/Moderna/Astra Zeneca or 2 weeks after their dose of Johnson & Johnson
– Proof of vaccination status must be presented to team medical staff in order to be deemed a fully vaccinated individual
– Bars and Night Clubs are NOT permitted during the 2021 season at home, on the road or during bye weeks

THE FOLLOWING APPLIES TO FULLY VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS
AS OF AUGUST 15TH

NO CLOSE CONTACT RULE
– Will not have to quarantine after a high-risk exposure to a COVID positive person (i.e., Teammate, family member, roommate, etc.)

NO MASKS OUTDOORS
– Including but not limited to practices and games
– Masks are required for all people indoors

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES (with other vaccinated teammates and family members)
– Outdoor activities such as golf are allowed
– Indoor activities such as playing cards, playing pool, ping pong are allowed

RESTAURANTS
– Will be able to go to restaurants with fully vaccinated family members and children or fully vaccinated teammates
– Bars and night clubs are not permitted for the 2021 season

ROAD TRAVEL
– Will be able to go to restaurants with fully vaccinated teammates or family members
– Will be able to have other fully vaccinated people in their rooms
– Will be able to leave the hotel for other reasons (e.g. essential shopping like pharmacy, grocery store) in addition to outside walks
– Masks are required when entering stores and buildings
– Unvaccinated individuals are allowed to do individual outdoor walks during road travel

STEAM ROOMS AND SAUNAS
– Permitted with other fully vaccinated individuals
– Distancing and capacity measures in these facilities still apply

BYE WEEKS (FOR FULLY VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS)
During bye weeks, travel is permitted but all other CFL Health and Safety protocols must also be followed. All activities during bye week should abide by the health and safety restrictions. Particularly, no bars or nightclubs during the bye week.

If events such as weddings, birth of children or funerals are being attended during bye week travel, an application must be made to the CFL Medical Committee for specific quarantine guidelines. These events could be subject to longer quarantines due to potential exposure to COVID-19.

Note: When travelling outside of Canada, there is always the risk of being denied re-entry into Canada especially if there are full or partial border closures and restrictions. So, travelling outside of Canada has risks.

Travel for bye weeks is guided by the four following scenarios:

TRAVELING TO AND FROM THE US (FLYING)
1. A PCR test must be completed in the team market prior to traveling.
2. A PCR test is required within 72 hours prior to the return flight.
3. Proof of full vaccination will be required and should be uploaded to the ArriveCAN app which is also still required to enter Canada.
4. The individual will enter a 2-night at home quarantine upon arrival back in the team market.
5. A PCR test will be administered the day after arriving back in the team market.
6. Team activities can resume on the third day after returning to the team market with a negative test result from the previous day.
Example – Individual arrives back in market on a Monday, enters an at-home quarantine for 2 nights, completes a PCR test through the team on Tuesday, can resume team activities on Wednesday with a negative result from the Tuesday PCR test.

TRAVELING TO AND FROM THE US (DRIVING)
1. A PCR test must be completed in the team market prior to traveling.
2. A PCR test is required prior to returning to the team market (Individual guidelines for crossing the border should be confirmed.)
3. Proof of full vaccination will be required and should be uploaded to the ArriveCAN app which is also still required to enter Canada.
4. The individual will enter a 2-night at home quarantine upon arrival back in the team market.
5. A PCR test will be administered the day after arriving back in the team market.
6. Team activities can resume on the third day after returning to the team market with a negative test result from the previous day.

TRAVELING IN CANADA (FLYING or DRIVING MORE THEN 4 HOURS)
1. A PCR test must be completed in the team market prior to traveling.
2. A second PCR test is required prior to the end of the bye week.
o The individual either has to arrive back to participate in the team organized testing or procure a test near where they are traveling to. Team’s will try to assist organizing this testing.
3. The individual will enter a 2-night at home quarantine upon arrival back in the team market.
4. A PCR test will be administered the day after arriving back in the team market.
5. Team activities can resume on the third day after returning to the team market with a negative test result from the previous day.

TRAVELING IN CANADA (DRIVING WITHIN 4 HOURS)
1. A PCR test must be completed in the team market prior to traveling.
2. A second PCR test is required prior to the end of the bye week.
o The individual either has to arrive back to participate in the team organized testing or procure a test near where they are traveling to. Team’s will try to assist organizing this testing.
3. Routine testing schedule would resume upon return, individual can reintegrate with team activities immediately.

SECOND PCR TEST DURING BYE WEEK TRAVEL
1. A second PCR test is required prior to the end of the bye week and prior to travelling back to the team market.
2. The individual should organize and procure a PCR test with the assistance of the team (e.g., Athletic Therapist) near where they are traveling from.
3. Players who do not receive a second PCR test will be in violation of the CFL Health and Safety protocols.
4. Reimbursement – For all players travelling during a bye week and not remaining in the team market, the following policy will apply.
a. The team will reimburse the player for the cost of the second PCR test during the bye week up to the actual cost of the team if that test had been administered in the team’s home city.
b. For greater clarity, should the “normal” cost of a PCR test to the team be $100CDN, then the player will be reimbursed to a maximum of $100CDN once he presents his receipt to the team.
c. The team, through its Athletic Therapist, will work with the player to identify ways of obtaining the second PCR test in the most cost-effective manner.

THE FOLLOWING APPLY TO FULLY VACCINATED TEAMS
(85% of Players and Coaches)
As of August 13th, no teams currently meet the threshold for these protocols.

MASKS
– Masks will not have to be worn outdoors
– However, distancing should still be taking place
– Masks will still be necessary all times indoors and on buses and planes

ROAD TRAVEL
– Vaccinated and unvaccinated players and coaches may eat together in a private banquet room in the hotel for team meals only
– Bars, night clubs are not permitted for the 2021 season

RESTAURANTS PERMITTED
– Unvaccinated individuals will be able to go to restaurants with vaccinated teammates, or other fully vaccinated people outside the team

SOCIALIZING
– May socialize with other teammates
– Examples include lunch, dinner, golf, playing cards, playing pool, ping pong, etc.
– Bars, night clubs are not permitted for the 2021 season

Justin Dunk
Justin Dunk is a football insider, sports reporter and anchor.