NHL to stop testing asymptomatic players after All-Star break

The NHL is set to loosen its COVID-19 testing policies.

The league will stop testing asymptomatic players and staff members for the coronavirus after the Feb. 3-6 All-Star break, the NHL and NHLPA announced Tuesday.

Testing will continue on a limited "for cause" basis for fully vaccinated players and staff who develop symptoms or require testing for cross-border travel.

The new protocol is contingent on the league's COVID-19 cases continuing to decline, according to Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli.

The NHL reintroduced daily testing in December after a league-wide outbreak driven by the Omicron variant that caused several game postponements. The NHL and NHLPA will meet and review protocol changes on Jan. 31.

Prior to that, fully vaccinated players were tested at least once every 72 hours. Unvaccinated individuals were tested every 48 hours. Players who have a confirmed positive test result aren't subject to testing for 90 days after they leave isolation.

In December, the NHL also lowered its COVID-19 isolation period for vaccinated players from 10 to five days.

Detroit Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi is the NHL's only player who isn't vaccinated against COVID-19.

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