CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ As the country continues reopening in the wake of COVID-19, the Carolina Panthers will not be among the teams returning to their facilities this week.
The NFL announced late last week that teams can begin reopening, starting Tuesday, as different areas around the country shift to the next phase of reopening during the coronavirus pandemic. Per North Carolina and Mecklenberg County regulations, a limited amount of workers could return, but the team is not planning to do so, per a source with direct knowledge of the team's decision. Instead, Carolina's return to Bank of America Stadium has been discussed as not happening until early June.
Facilities are only allowed to open to a select amount of staff, as long as doing so complies with local and state guidelines. The first group of employees allowed in facilities includes no more than 50% of non-player staff _ up to 75 people per day. The only players and strength and conditioning coaches allowed are those involved in player rehab. No other members of the coaching staff can be on site.
A select number of teams will begin returning this week across the NFL, while about 10 are unable to return due to restrictions in place where they are located.
NFL facilities have been closed since March 25. It is expected that coaching staffs will not be allowed to return to facilities until all 32 teams are able to do so to keep everything equitable. There is no set date for when additional staff, including players, will be able to return.
Teams will have to adhere to certain guidelines as they begin to reopen, including designating an infection-control officer as the point of contact for anyone who has symptoms related to COVID-19. Dr. Nancy Gritter, the team's lead internist, is one of the people leading the charge for the team's safety against the disease.
The Panthers have been conducting their offseason virtually over the past month, including a rookie minicamp. They are in a unique position as far as a lack of on-field workouts, as they're one of the 32 teams that has experienced the most change this offseason in terms of coaching staff and player turnover.
The Hornets have also been slow to reopen their facility as the NBA season remains paused. Multiple states announced Monday that sports could soon be returning without fans, including Texas and California. The number of new daily cases of COVID-19 continues to climb in North Carolina, but other key trends, such as hospitalizations and the percentage of positive tests, have remained steady or are falling.
Gov. Roy Cooper said during a news conference Monday that he plans to have a decision midweek on whether North Carolina can move into Phase 2 of his reopening plan.
There are many aspects of returning that teams have to explore, including options for training camp. For the Panthers, training camp was supposed to take place at Wofford College. Many possibilities are being considered, from holding training camp in Spartanburg, S.C., without fans to what do to with PSL owners' tickets if games are canceled or held without fans.
