Why some Giants players might have to quarantine for 14 days before training camp, and other new coronavirus rules

Giants hold 7th training camp practice

The Giants are bringing some staff members back to the Quest Diagnostics Center facility. James Kratch | NJ Advance Media

The Giants took a major step toward normalcy — or something like it — on Wednesday when some staff members officially returned to their facility, the Quest Diagnostics Center in East Rutherford.

The facility has been shuttered since March amid the coronavirus pandemic, but now, slowly but surely, the Giants — as well as other teams across the NFL — are making their return.

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Thursday, started a slow reopening which included 15-20 people, counting general manager Dave Gettleman and members of his staff, as well as some business, operations and medical staff. Co-owner John Mara was also at the office. The Giants will slowly start to increase that number, though players likely won’t be permitted to return until training camp.

Starting Friday, coaches will be permitted to return, which will be helpful for coach Joe Judge in his first year running the team.

Of course, in order for the Giants to get to those next phases where coaches, players and other staff members are permitted in the facility, they had to take precautions.

There is at least one notable restriction the Giants are placing on employees that will make things interesting once the time for training camp in late-July comes closer.

That is: Before entering the facility, there is a warning sign asking that anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19, is exhibiting symptoms (i.e. cough, fever, sore throat, diarrhea, etc.) of the virus or travelled outside of the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut area over the last 14 days is asked not to enter the facility.

There are many notable Giants players not currently staying in New Jersey, with some in California, Arizona and Florida, among many other states. If that guideline sticks when players are welcomed back — which isn’t a guarantee with nearly two months until camp — a large portion of the roster would likely have to return to New Jersey at least two weeks before the start of training camp in order to be cleared to participate on time.


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Here are some of the measures the team is taking at the facility, as explained in a video posted to the team website:

- The team, per the video, is following CDC, state and NFL guidelines for all of their safety and health measures.

- All staffers are required to wear masks upon entering the facility

- Social distancing measures are being utilized throughout

- Upon entering, each person has their temperature taken using a thermal scanner. Masks, gloves and hand sanitizer are also provided, if needed.

- There is signage throughout the facility displaying guidelines for proper health measures to take, including the correct way to wear masks and hand-washing with soap and water (or hand sanitizer).

- Some rooms only allow one person to enter at a time.

- Before the facility shut down, according to Victor McLoughlin, the Giants director of facilities and construction, the team had already started incorporating new guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting in the facility, including wiping down handles (doors, refrigerators, etc.) with wipes.

The Giants are trying to “make sure the building is as sanitized as possible,” McLoughlin said.

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