The Los Angeles Lakers reached an important milestone amid the continuing devastation from the coronavirus pandemic, with the team planning to continue following established guidelines.
The Lakers players today completed the 14-day home isolation that was prescribed by team physicians, and the players are all currently symptom-free of COVID-19.
The health and safety guidelines set by government officials will continue to be followed by the Lakers.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 31, 2020
The Lakers’ players and staff had been in a two-week self-quarantine because their final game prior to the NBA’s suspension of play came against the Brooklyn Nets. That became significant after four members of the Nets, including some who played in the contest on March 10, later tested positive for the virus.
The two-week self-quarantine was put in place on March 18, the same day that members of the Lakers underwent coronavirus tests.
The scope of the pandemic has taken a major toll on parts of the United States and across the world, including the greater Los Angeles area.
Due to the continuing spread of the virus, California governor Gavin Newsom instituted a shelter-in-place order on March 19. That allows essential businesses to remain open, but closes thousands of other establishments and forces many people to work from home.
There’s no indication exactly when that order will be lifted or if and when the NBA season will resume.
The stoppage of play was especially painful for the Lakers, who had been in the midst of a resurgence with a 49-14 record this season. That mark had given them the top record in the Western Conference and clinched a postseason spot for the first time in seven years.
