Source: 49ers given clearance to hold training camp amid coronavirus concerns

With COVID-19 testing and protocols for players and staffers mostly put in place, the 49ers took an important step Wednesday in their return to football amid the worldwide coronavirus pandemic.

The team was granted permission by Santa Clara County to host training camp despite the county recently putting guidelines in place to keep nonessential workers at home, sources told The Bee.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on July 13 added Santa Clara County to the state’s watch list after coronavirus cases in the area rose significantly — as they did throughout the state and country — which forced worship services, fitness centers, protests and offices in nonessential sectors to close.

The 49ers were in discussions with county and state leaders for weeks in conjunction with the NFL and the NFL Players Association as the sides negotiated the new procedures for the unprecedented circumstances.

The results include daily testing for at least two weeks after the entire team reports, the cancellation of all four preseason games, the roster shrinking from 90 to 80 players and an expected ramp-up period to allow players’ bodies a chance to acclimate to football conditions after not having an in-person offseason strength and conditioning program.

Quarterbacks, rookies and injured players reported to the team’s headquarters Thursday for their first round of COVID-19 testing. Once their tests are taken, they’re ordered to quarantine for two days before taking a second test. If they pass that, then they can take their physical and begin working inside the facility with their teammates.

All other players will go through the same five-day process when they first report Tuesday, July 28, leading to the first full-team work presumably starting the following weekend, when daily testing begins. The testing could lessen to every other day if the positivity rate for players stays below 5%.

The players are pushing for a ramp-up period — expected to be two or three weeks — that won’t include normal practices. Instead it would be a strength and conditioning program akin to what teams typically go through in April. Then there will be a string of padless practices before the pads come on in the final weeks leading up to the season opener scheduled for Sept. 13 against the Arizona Cardinals. The scheduling details are still being finalized.

The 49ers have made a slew of changes to their facility to combat the spread of COVID-19, including taking away chairs and tables from the cafeteria and ensuring all food will be served from behind plexiglass. There will be no self-serve buffet or made-to-order grill area, which is always popular. Instead, players can order their food ahead of time and eat it somewhere outside or in their meeting areas.

Levi’s Stadium will play a critical role in the changes. The venue’s expansive club areas, often rented out for corporate events, parties and even weddings, will be tapped as new meeting areas to ensure players are social distancing with their seats 6 feet apart. There are two additional locker rooms in the north end of the stadium the team could use to keep players apart as their home locker room, used during the week and on game days, has roughly 60 lockers.

Of course, players will also be forced to wear masks and hand sanitizing stations will be set up throughout the facility.