SEC unveils COVID-19 protocols, testing at least twice weekly for MU football players
If there is college football in the Southeastern Conference this fall for the Missouri Tigers, expect all coaches and staff on the sideline to be wearing face coverings and maintaining physical distancing whenever possible.
And getting tested at least twice a week.
The SEC announced its initial COVID-19 management requirements, which include bi-weekly testing procedures from a third-party provider for football players and all staff directly involved with the program.
Those polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests will be administered typically six days and three days ahead of competition. The SEC also recommends exploring alternative testing for a potential third weekly measure that will “provide for the reliability and rapid response necessary for diagnostic testing in a timeframe closer to competition.”
“Our Medical Task Force is producing an effective strategy for testing and monitoring, which complements the vigilant day-to-day efforts of our campuses to establish and maintain healthy environments in which our student-athletes can train and compete,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement. “Our health experts have guided us though each stage of preparation for the safe return of activity and, together with the medical staffs embedded within our athletics programs, we will continue to monitor developments around the virus and evolve our plan to meet the health needs of our student-athletes.”
Volleyball and soccer student-athletes and staff will receive PCR tests twice weekly during the season, with one to occur three days prior to competition. Cross country student-athletes and staff will receive tests once per week.
Each university is also required to designate a “COVID-19 Protocol Oversight Officer” responsible for education and assurance of compliance with the SEC’s requirements.
The SEC announced last month that any student-athletes who elect to not participate this fall because of health or safety concerns related to COVID-19 will continue to have their scholarships honored and remain in good standing with the team.
The season kicks off for Missouri on Sept. 26 as part of the SEC’s newly formed, conference-only 10-game schedule. The Tigers will learn exactly who and when they’re playing in the days to come.