NFL tells remaining playoff teams unvaccinated players no longer subject to daily Covid-19 testing

By Alaa Elassar, CNN

Updated 0227 GMT (1027 HKT) January 22, 2022

The NFL logo is seen on a football during a game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens on December 26, 2021.

(CNN)The National Football League issued a memo Friday advising the remaining eight teams left in the playoffs that unvaccinated players no longer need daily Covid-19 tests.

Covid-19 protocols updated by the league and NFL Players Association have been updated «to eliminate the distinction between vaccinated and unvaccinated players to determine testing cadence,» the NFL said in its memo obtained by CNN.This only affects about 12 unvaccinated players who are not on testing holiday, which refers to when an individual who tests positive doesn't have to take a test for 90 days, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told CNN.Alexander Zverev says 'there would probably be more' cases of Covid-19 at the Australian Open with increased testingThe NFL and players association have made multiple changes this season to the protocols in response to the pandemic. At one point, fully vaccinated individuals were required to test weekly and unvaccinated individuals daily.On December 28, the league said it had reduced the amount of time that players who test positive for the virus may have to isolate from their team after updated CDC guidance was released.Read MoreEffective immediately, any player or staff member who reports symptoms will be tested promptly, according to the latest memo. «Targeted surveillance testing,» which has been in effect since December 18, will continue.«This comprehensive, symptom-based approach to testing, reflects our recent experience with the Omicron variant and conforms to current public health recommendations and best practices