Details from NHL's return-to-play protocol: No talking in elevators, but a dip in the hotel pool is OK

The NHL and NHLPA announced a tentative agreement on how to resume playing this season as well as a four-year extension to the current collective bargaining agreement. The NHL’s board of governors and the NHLPA’s membership must formally approve of these measures.

The plans for resumption of play are split into two groups: Phase 3, which outlines training camps, and Phase 4, which details games.

The regulations are remarkably detailed, with instructions provided for every activity up to and including how to ride hotel elevators during Phase 4.

The use of knuckles or elbows instead of fingers to select a floor is suggested. Additionally, talking within the elevator is discouraged.

Some details of Phase 3:

• Participation in Phase 3 will be limited to no more than 30 skaters (forwards or defensemen) per club and an unlimited number of goaltenders. Teams must submit a list of of participating players by no later than Thursday.

• Any player may opt out of Phases 3 and 4 without discipline or penalty.

• Players who do not have a residence in their team’s city must be provided hotel accommodations, including for their families. Teams must make the best effort to provide grocery delivery and errand delivery services.

• Testing for the coronavirus must be performed on an every-other-day basis on all players, club personnel who have access to players, ice maintenance personnel and building maintenance and security personnel who will be in the vicinity of players. Temperature checks will be performed on a daily basis.

• Teams may not disclose the identity of any players who test positive without permission from the NHL, with consolation from the NHLPA.

• Independent media may be permitted within team facilities, but no direct interactions with players will be permitted.

• Players are discouraged from socializing with one another outside of team facilities.

• Players and team personnel will be required to wear face coverings while within the facility with the notable exception of on-ice activities.

• The use of hot or cold tubs as well as saunas is prohibited.

• Dietary supplements and creams, gels or balms may not be used in a common setting. All water bottles must be individually identified for each player. Meals must not be provided in a shared setting. Team caterers may provide pre-packaged meals to be consumed off site. Only single-use beverages or items such as granola or power bars may be consumed on site.

• Players are encouraged to shower on site provided distancing can be maintained. Players should not be permitted to share towels, toiletries, or any personal items. Players must wear their own footwear at all times, including in the shower stalls.

• Players are not permitted to work out or skate at any non-team facilities.

Details of Phase 4:

• Each club will be permitted to bring a maximum of 52 people to the Phase 4 Secure Zone within the hub city it will be playing in.

• Each club will be required to submit a list of all individuals in its traveling parties by Monday. Each traveling party will include a roster of no more than 31 players, three coaches, two athletic trainers, one physician, one equipment manager, one massage therapist, one ART therapist or chiropractor, one content/social media creator, one security representative and one representative to serve as the club’s compliance officer.

• The NHL will provide all transportation in the Phase 4 Secure Zone. Individuals in the zone are not permitted to take any other transportation, unless expressly approved by the NHL Event Medical Director.

• All participants staying at a Phase 4 Secure Zone are expected to remain within its boundaries with the exceptions of medical care or extenuating circumstances such as a family emergency.

• Individuals who work within but live outside the Phase 4 Secure Zone, including hotel or arena employees, must undergo daily testing and wear protective equipment.

• All individuals must wear a face cover at all times while outside their room with the following exceptions: Players when exercising or on the ice, coaches when on the bench, broadcasters when on the air and on-ice officials during games.

• Players and staff may remove face coverings during interviews performed with appropriate distancing.

• Individuals are not required to wear a mask while exercising, including a physically distanced run or walk. Individuals are instructed to bring a mask in case they encounter situations where physical distancing is not possible.

• All personnel staying at a hotel within the Secure Zone will be required to stay in a single-occupancy room with no guests allowed.

• In the event an individual’s team reaches a conference final or the Stanley Cup Final, family members may be permitted to reside with that individual.

• Each club will be assigned a designated floor of a hotel, as necessary.

• The hotel lobby and bars will be available provided proper physical distancing is followed.

• Use of the hotel pool, if open, is permitted so long as individuals can socially distance.

• The NHL shall establish a schedule for usage of the hotel’s fitness center. Participants must wash hands and face immediately before using the facility and after any time they touch their face. All equipment must be disinfected by individuals before and after each use.

• Buffet-style meals will be permitted, subject to plexiglas (or similar) barriers set up between servers and individuals to maintain social distancing and contactless service.

• A limited amount of media will be permitted access to watch games in person but will have no greater access to players than media which remain in a home city. All interviews will be conducted in a remote sense.

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