The Celtics announced on Friday that they will start allowing access to the Auerbach Center starting on June 1st for voluntary workouts for Celtics players. The team collaborated in close consultation with public health authorities and infectious disease experts, and operated within requirements and guidelines set forth by the state, city, and the NBA, before becoming one of the final six teams in the league to open back up.
“We’re happy that our players will now have the option to work out individually in a safe environment at the Auerbach Center, and we hope it signals a step back towards playing basketball again,” said Danny Ainge in a press release.
The announcement comes on the heels of Governor Charlie Baker announcing the pro teams can resume practicing at their practice facilities on June 6th. That likely won't happy as quickly for the C's as they follow NBA's protocol for only holding individual workouts for the time being.
NBA teams have allowed players back at their training facilities for voluntary sessions since May 8, but the Celtics were one of the final six teams in the league to open up based on the severe pandemic situation in the state. A team source told BSJ several Celtics that were quarantining out of town are making arrangements to head back in Boston next week to take part in the voluntary workouts. A list of restrictions on the C's for the workouts are as followed, per the team:
- Workouts are voluntary & will be conducted in strict accordance with city, state, CDC, and NBA requirements and guidelines.
- Symptom and temperature checks will be done by team medical staff before anyone enters the facility.
- Workouts will be limited to individual (1-on-0) shooting, strength and conditioning work, and medical evaluation and therapy as needed.
- Only essential areas will be accessed. There will be no access to locker rooms, showers, hydrotherapy, medical exam rooms, cafeteria, and offices.
- Only four players will be able to work out at a time, each working with only one staff member at a time. There will be no more than one player per half court at a time.
- All staff members will wear masks in the building, and any staff member working with a player must wear gloves. Players will wear masks except while engaging in physical activity. Players and staff will adhere to CDC and NBA compliant social distancing standards at all times.
- Social distancing will be required in the building except in limited specific instances (e.g. physical therapy), when PPE will be used.
- A thorough cleaning and disinfection of all spaces and equipment, including basketballs, will take place before and after each player uses the building.
- Only staff members essential to these workouts will be present at the Auerbach Center. There will be no access for general staff, public, or media.