All NBA Teams Required To Host New Years Eve COVID Booster Shot Event

Published|Updated

All NBA teams will be required to host a COVID-19 booster shot event by Dec. 31, The Athletic's Shams Charania reports.

"In light of rising COVID-19 cases, all NBA teams were informed that they are required to host a booster shot event by Dec. 31 in which booster doses are made available for eligible players, staff and their families," Charania tweeted.

Earlier this month, the NBA agreed to increase testing and mask-wearing for players and staff for two weeks, starting on Dec. 26.

Under the current protocols, if a vaccinated player tests positive, he must quarantine for 10 days or provide two negative tests at least 24 hours apart.

Following in the NFL's lead, the NBA and NBPA agreed to lessen the quarantine period for COVID-positive players from 10 to six days on Thursday, OutKick previously reported.

Although the NBA is reportedly 97% vaccinated — and more than 65% of players have received a booster shot — the league is still dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks among teams.

The league has had at least 123 players that have entered protocols in December, according to ESPN. Several games have been postponed due to teams not having enough players to compete — teams have even brought up G League players and signing others to try to fill rosters, as well. So far, the NBA game postponements include:

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said earlier this week that the league doesn’t have any plans to stop or pause the season, OutKick previously reported.

“This virus will not be eradicated,” Silver said. “We’re going to have to learn to live with it.”

Follow Meg Turner on Twitter @Megnturner_ and Instagram @Megnturner.

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