Certain pandemic restriction lift for CFL players: TSN

REGINA -

Certain COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted for CFL players, according to TSN insider Dave Naylor.

Effective Aug. 15, teams with a vaccination rate of 85 per cent won’t have to wear masks outdoors.  Previously, team personnel, including coaches, were required to wear masks on the sidelines during games and at practice. Players who weren’t wearing a helmet were also required to wear a mask.

Effective today, @CFL has new protocol for fully vaccinated players and coaches, allowing such things as no mask outdoors, some outdoor and indoor social activities including restaurants — with other fully vaccinated teammates, friends, family.#CFL

— Dave Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) August 15, 2021

Players will also be able to attend in-person meetings and go to restaurants with other fully vaccinated teammates, friends and family.

“It just feels like it’s a relief,” said Riders’ receiver Paul McRoberts. “At the end of the day .we still want to be cautious because we know the pandemic is still going on and we have to be smart about it.

Teams will allow unvaccinated and vaccinated personnel to eat together in private hotel banquet rooms on road trips.

“Being able to gather and grow as a team, that’s really where you get to know guys outside of the locker room, off the field and that’s where groups can start to gel,” said receiver Mitchell Picton.

When teams reach an 85 per cent vaccination rate, no masks will be required outdoors. As of Friday, no CFL team had a vaccination rate of 85 per cent. According to Riders’ head coach Craig Dickenson, Saskatchewan is close to that threshold.

“Hopefully that gives them a little more freedom and allows them to feel a little less pent up, a little less frustrated by not being able to get out,” Dickenson said.

The head coach admitted he wasted no time in enjoying the additional freedoms.

“I went out for a steak on Sunday. That was a good thing,” Dickenson said. “I was in a way better mood Monday after that.”