NHL will relax COVID-19 protocols for fully vaccinated players in playoffs

The NHL is rewarding players that have chosen to get fully vaccinated with more freedom come playoff time.

The league announced that players who get both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will not have to deal with the same level of restrictions as they have dealt with throughout the regular season. That means they will relax protocols surrounding testing, quarantining, mask wearings and social gatherings/team parties.

Teams that have at least 85% of players fully vaccinated (two weeks after second vaccine dose) will be eligible for these new, less restrictive guidelines.

“I can’t put it into percentages or anything, but it’s been a grind for a lot of the players in the protocols and those things” said New York Islanders coach Barry Trotz.

“I think that will be an ease for players, like, ‘Hey, this has been worth it.’ We’ve been grinding, grinding, and now we’re seeing things change a bit. I think it’ll give a boost of energy to all involved.”

Below is a list of some of the relaxed restrictions for fully vaccinated players: