KANSAS CITY, Mo. _ A day after altering pre-draft plans in the face of the growing threat of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the Chiefs took a major step Thursday to ensure the safety of coaches and scouts against potential exposure.
The Chiefs announced Thursday afternoon that travel has been suspended.
"We have suspended business travel and all non-essential travel for our coaches and scouts for the time being as we continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19," the Chiefs said in a statement. "We will remain in close communication with the National Football League and rely on the guidance of their medical experts, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization as this medical event progresses. We will take additional action as necessary as more information becomes available."
Additionally, the Chiefs announced that all non-essential personnel were instructed to work remotely for a minimum of 14 days starting March 16.
"The health and safety of our players, coaches, and staff is our top priority," the team's statement read. "While we have had no positive cases of coronavirus, we believe it is best to take preemptive action out of an abundance of caution and for the safety of our employees and our community."
The Chiefs' suspension of travel comes at one of the NFL's busiest times of the calendar year.
Teams around the league are preparing for the NFL Draft, which is scheduled for April 23-25 in Las Vegas, and coaching staffs and scouts were in the process of attending college pro days around the country.
The Chiefs now join the Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles as teams known to have pulled back their scouting departments. More NFL clubs are likely to follow.
Earlier Thursday, the NFL canceled its annual spring meeting, which was scheduled for March 29-April 1 in Palm Beach, Florida.
The NFL's new calendar year, which signals the start of free agency, is set for March 18, at least for now.
