The Los Angeles County Health Department have advised the LA Dodgers team to quarantine for COVID-19.
The team came under fire after third basemen Justin Turner tested positive for the virus. He returned to the field to celebrate with teammates after the Dodgers won the World Series. A video showed a maskless Turner celebrating and in close proximity to teammates and others.
The LA County Health Department strongly advised both Turner and other Dodgers’ players and staff members to quarantine themselves. According to TMZ, hey said the team must take action to “prevent additional exposures.”
“[Anyone] who has been a close contact of a person who has tested positive for the virus for 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period must quarantine for 14 days,” the health department said. According to TMZ, the team flew back to Los Angeles on Oct. 28.
The Dodgers And Justin Turner Faced Backlash After The Game
Officials removed Turner during the second inning of Game Six after he tested positive for COVID-19. The third baseman tweeted that he felt no symptoms related to the virus. Upon the team’s victory, Turner returned to the field for the post-game celebration.
“Thanks to everyone reaching out! I feel great, no symptoms at all,” Turner wrote. “Just experienced every emotion you can possibly imagine. Can’t believe I couldn’t be out there to celebrate with my guys! So proud of this team & unbelievably happy for the City of LA.”
Despite public backlash, Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers president of baseball operations, supported Turner in his celebration. According to CNN, he said Turner didn’t celebrate with any players he “hadn’t already been in contact with” prior to the positive testing. But he also said he didn’t closely monitor Turner during the post-victory.
“I don’t think there was anyone that was going to stop him from going out [onto the field],” Friedman said. “If there are people around him without masks, that’s not good optics at all.”