Left image via Nurphoto via Getty Images / Right image via KINEXON //

Hopefully it works out…

The NBA has definitely been managing its operations precariously during the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBA bubble that allowed the season to continue in 2020 built upon numerous rules and regulations. Now, it seems they’re bringing back a piece of tech that helped the bubble succeed during the height of the pandemic, in hopes of enabling long-term stability in the league.

A report by Baxter Holmes of ESPN states that the league is set to bring back the Kinexon SafeZone wristband, which was worn by everyone inside the NBA bubble throughout 2020. The technology enables the league to determine close contacts in the event of a positive case in the bubble. It was also mad effective at enforcing social distancing, beeping whenever people would come within six feet of one another (although it seems that feature won’t be making a comeback).

It won’t be just the players who’ll have to wear them either, with those in Tier 1 and Tier 2 in the NBA structure (including players, coaches, front office personnel, trainers and team staff) set to begin wearing the bands starting January 7, mandated to wear them at all team-sanctioned functions, team travel and during practise. However, they’ll not be required to wear them during games (that would get old real quick). The report also notes that GPS location won’t be tracked, but that the “the distance and duration of in-person interactions” will instead be monitored.

It’s a big move which will no doubt be super effective at maintaining the safety of the bubble (it’s done pretty well in the NFL as well). Check out the full report below.

NEWS: In the coming days, an ambitious new part of the NBA’s contact tracing program will go live, ESPN has learned, and it will require players and many team staffers to wear sensor devices during all team-organized activities outside of games. Details:https://t.co/nDabJdxRTg

— Baxter Holmes (@Baxter) December 31, 2020