SEC medical task force releases COVID-19 protocols for fall sports

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Southeastern Conference medical task force released guidelines Friday for schools to follow in order to keep their athletes safe this fall.

The task force has been meeting since April to come up with these initial guidelines. Channel 2′s Alison Mastrangelo went through all 12 pages of the task force’s recommendations.

They include testing requirements, procedures for infections and contact tracing and protocols for quarantine and isolation for the conference’s fall sports.

Some of the notable guidelines for football include testing at least twice weekly during competition, typically between three to six days before a game.

Also in football, volleyball and soccer, all coaches, staff and non-competing personnel will be required to wear face coverings on the sidelines and must follow social distancing as much as possible.

Mastrangelo caught up with Georgia’s Senior Associate Athletic Director Ron Courson. He said so far no Georgia athletes have opted out this season.

The medical task force mentioned the requirements sent out Friday are based on current information and they are likely to change and be updated as they get more information on the virus.

The SEC expects another pre-season report from the task force by Aug. 31.

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