FIVB update on COVID-19 protocols at VNL 2021

The FIVB can confirm that it provided the Argentina men's national volleyball team with a special procedure to bring extra players into the VNL Bubble before the official replacement window. This is due to exceptional medical circumstances related to COVID-19 which a day prior to departure prevented nine members of the team from travelling to Italy and entering the bubble during the official arrival date on 24 May 2021.

The Argentina men's national team arrived on 24 May with nine players, while six more team members arrived on 29 May and three more are scheduled to arrive on 3 June.

Based on the guidance of the VNL COVID-19 Task Force, local event organiser and local health authorities, the six players who have already arrived and the three who are due to arrive are subject to a special testing and quarantine procedure to ensure the safety of all participants in the bubble.

This includes a PCR test 48 hours before arrival (29 May and 3 June respectively) and a PCR test upon arrival. In addition, the players are requested to quarantine in single hotel rooms for 72 hours (29-30-31 May and 3-4-5 June respectively) before undergoing an additional PCR test (1 June and 6 June respectively). The players are then permitted to enter the bubble, on the condition that a negative test result is produced.

As always, the FIVB's primary concern is protecting the health and wellbeing of our athletes, officials and staff and there will be no compromise in this regard.

Note for Information:

The Volleyball Nations League 2021 is being held in a secure bubble in Rimini Italy from 25 May to 25 June for the women’s edition and 28 May to 27 June for the men’s edition.

All participants were required to produce negative test results before their departure to Italy and a PCR test upon arrival before entering the bubble was mandatory. Further in-competition tests are also mandatory for all participants every four days, along with an exit PCR test before departure. In the event that a participant displays COVID-19 symptoms, additional tests shall be performed, as well as close contact tracking and specific medical care outside the bubble if required.