NBA to limit locker room access to battle virus

In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, the NBA plans to dramatically curb access to players in locker rooms, the league announced on Monday.

The league notified teams on Monday that they’ll need to eliminate what the NBA considers to be nonessential team personnel — including media members — from locker rooms, the release said.

The NBA considers coaches, general managers, basketball personnel and public relations staff to be among those who’ll have continued access to players in the locker room, sources said. The NBA is preparing for media access outside of locker room settings that includes a directive to keep players and media at a distance of six to eight feet, sources said.

The NBA told teams on Monday that these actions were among recommendations of infectious disease and public health experts, sources said.

This revelation comes on the cusp of the NBA scheduling a conference call with league owners and governors for Wednesday afternoon, league sources said.

The NBA has been working in consultation with the NHL and MLB on the decision, sources said.

ESPN’s Zach Lowe contributed to this report.