The NBA is officially coming to Walt Disney World, with teams arriving at the resort from July 7-11, practicing from July 9-21, and commencing play with scrimmages against other teams beginning on July 22. In order to return to play safely, every single person participating in this special "bubble" at Walt Disney World will have to submit to COVID-19 tests every other day before travelling in order to ensure they do not have the virus, and then will have to abide by several rules and restrictions to minimize their exposure to the virus once they are here.
Where will the NBA players be staying?
NBA players will be staying at three Walt Disney World hotels, broken down by seeding. The top four seeds in each conference will be at the Gran Destino Tower at Disney's Coronado Springs, seeds 5-8 in each conference will be at the Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, and the six teams currently not in a playoff spot will be at Disney's Yacht Club.
Each team will be allowed to have a travel party of 37 people inside the NBA campus. That will be 35 people made up of 15-17 players and 18-20 support staff members, plus a public relations official and a "content creator."
Keeping social distancing in tact
In an effort to minimize potential exposure to the virus, players and staff will not leave their hotel area or designated play areas except in "extenuating circumstances" including the need for medical care, the birth of a child, a documented severe illness or death in the family.
Players will also be required to wear a small device on their credential that will serve as an alarm that will set off an audio alert when within six feet of another person for a period longer than five seconds so they can ensure they are maintaining proper distancing off the court.
In addition, NBA players can opt-in to use a “smart ring" that can measure body temperature, respiratory functions and heart rate, which can all aid in early detection of the COVID-19 virus.
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