NHL announces changes to COVID-19 protocols for playoffs

The NHL has issued a memorandum to their COVID-19 protocols for teams remaining in the playoffs.

The league, following guidance from the U.S. Center for Disease control, is allowing teams to create their own masking protocols for spectators in the stands.

No longer are teams required to force fans to wear a mask instead allowing organizations to create their own rules.

Despite that, club personnel, league personnel, vendors or others involved in the production of the game are still required to wear masks.

The league will also be reinstalling plexiglass shielding in sections behind penalty boxes and team benches, but only for fully vaccinated clubs in the U.S.

The memorandum can be read in full here.

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.