While the NBA focuses on next steps for restarting the season, the Washington Wizards are moving towards their own sense of normalcy. The team announced on Friday that they will allow players to participate in individual voluntary workouts at the MedStar Wizards Performance Center in Washington, DC.
Players began workouts on Friday while strictly following all guidelines from local DC health officials and rules and restrictions set forth by the NBA. The MedStar Wizards Performance Center will remain closed to the general staffs of the Wizards, Mystics and Go-Go until local guidelines allow for re-opening.
The team has put in place stringent precautions to ensure a safe working environment for players that choose to participate. The protocols are as follows:
- All workouts will be on a voluntary basis
- The individual workouts will be conducted with one player per half court, with only one member of the coaching or training staff per player and no overlap
- Players will only use the court and weight room areas (locker rooms, training rooms, dining areas and offices will remain closed)
- Players will wear masks while in the building other than when participating in on-court sessions; staff members will wear gloves and masks at all times when in the building
- All workout spaces and equipment will be thoroughly cleaned between workouts
- Team medical staff will administer symptom and temperature checks prior to anyone entering the facility
- There will be no media, general staff or public access to the facility
Prior to the season halting, the Wizards were ninth in the Eastern Conference standings. Although there are still a lot of questions about the path forward, individual workouts is a step in the right direction.