How The Atlanta Hawks Will Navigate Coronavirus This Season
The Atlanta Hawks are facing the challenge of playing this season as coronavirus cases continue to rise.
Last season, the NBA executed a nearly flawless approach to the 2019-20 season in the Orlando, Florida, “bubble.” This season puts more responsibility on each team to keep people safe.
Before the preseason began, the NBA sent a 134-page memo to teams detailing the season’s health and safety protocols. The memo, obtained by WABE, gives explicit rules for preventing, managing and resolving cases of COVID-19 for team personnel.
Each organization decides how to carry out certain processes, such as contact tracing or educating players on the virus.
The memo says that it’s likely “some staff, players and other participants” will test positive. But it gives little information about the circumstances under which the season would be suspended.
“The occurrence of independent cases or a small or otherwise expected number of COVID-19 cases will not require a decision to suspend or cancel the 2020-21 season,” the memo says.
Here’s how you can expect the Atlanta Hawks and other teams to navigate the pandemic.
Organization
Before the start of the season, Hawks personnel will be divided into three tiers. Tier 1 includes players, coaches and on-court staff that work directly with the players. They are not allowed to access areas that are used for business, offices and corporate spaces.
Tier 2 is made up of non-playing personnel and staff that don’t regularly interact with the team in a basketball setting. For example, the Hawks’ catering service or a social media manager. They have access to restricted areas but only if necessary.
Restricted areas are the team’s basketball and training facilities. At State Farm Arena, areas such as the court, locker rooms, and other places players frequent are restricted.
Tier 3 are those employed by the team who don’t need to interact with those in Tier 1 or 2 directly. These employees — such as facilities staff, specialists and consultants — cannot interact with those in Tier 1 and Tier 2.
Everyone has to wear a mask when they are at the team’s facility, except players on the court or training. But only Tier 1 and Tier 2 individuals must be tested daily during the season.
Tier 1 and Tier 2 make up the Hawks’ traveling party. When staying at a hotel, the team will coordinate with the hotel to have an exclusive staff that services the traveling party.
Additionally, the traveling party must have privatized access points to enter and leave the hotel. Further steps are to be taken to reduce interaction with non-Hawks personnel, such as dedicating an entire hotel floor to the Hawks.
In The Event Of A Positive COVID-19 Test
Anyone that tests positive or inconclusive will take a second test for confirmation.
The Hawks were required to establish a designated isolation area in Atlanta to house individuals with a positive or inconclusive COVID-19 test or symptoms. For away-game travel, there are designated isolation areas in all 29 other team markets.
When discontinuing isolation, there can be a time-based or test-based resolution. A time-based resolution requires that 10 days pass since the date of the first positive test or symptom, and the individual must have no symptoms.
“We intend to adhere to the processes laid out by the league; the penalties for not [doing so] are in the memo,” said a Hawks spokesperson. They declined to answer more questions.
Fans In The Stands
The Hawks are one of three teams that are allowing fans to watch games. A small number of friends and family will be allowed at State Farm Arena to start the season. On Jan. 18, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Hawks will host a crowd at about 10% capacity, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The Hawks’ first regular season game is on Dec. 23.
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