NHL announces health and safety protocols for 2020-21 season

The NHL released its health and safety protocols for the 2020-21 season, including COVID-19 protocols for positive tests and travel.

Some key measures include:

• The league will announce the names of players who test positive for COVID-19 during the season.
• All coaches must wear face coverings on the bench during games.
• Following a positive test, players must self-isolate based on local health regulations and need to be cleared by a team physician and cardiologist before returning to play.
• Teammates identified as close contacts won't be required to quarantine as long as they test negative and remain asymptomatic.
• Players will stay alone in hotel rooms on the road and are not allowed to dine at restaurants, go shopping, or use transportation that isn't provided by the team.

The season is set to begin Jan. 13, with the playoffs concluding as late as July 9. The league re-aligned its four divisions, and teams will only play against others in their respective divisions to minimize travel.