NFL delay off-season start and close team facilities
The NFL have made dramatic changes to their off-season plans due to the impact of coronavirus, including banning access to all team facilities for two weeks.
Teams with new head coaches were scheduled to begin their offseason programme on April 6, while April 20 was the date for the rest of the league's teams to begin training. However the governing body have ruled those activities will not commence as planned.
Teams also have been instructed to close their facilities to players -- other than those undergoing medically supervised rehab -- for the next two weeks.
The biggest affects will be felt by current free agents, who will not be allowed to meet with any club personnel at any perspective new club, whether that be at club facilities or any other location.
Medical staff are also not allowed to travel to any location to examine a free-agent player.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said: "Based on the most recent guidance provided by leading health officials, and in consultation with the NFLPA and both our and the union's medical advisors, we believe this is the appropriate way to protect the health of our players, staff, and our communities," Goodell said in a statement. "We will continue to make decisions based on the best advice from medical and public health experts and will be prepared to make further modifications as needed."
The NFL have already announced that the 2020 Draft will go ahead in Las Vegas in April but without any fans being there in person.
