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Athletics department staff and student-athletes will continue to align with the broader institutional policy for return. In addition, the NCAA Resocialization of Collegiate Sport and South Atlantic Conference policies will be followed by our athletic staff and student-athletes for competition.
Further, consistent with NCAA Constitution Bylaw 3.2.4.19, the institution’s medical staff must have unchallengeable autonomous authority to determine medical management and return-to-play decisions related to student-athletes.
ATHLETIC SURVEILLANCE TEsTING
The following minimal standards are currently outlined for the SAC (South Atlantic Conference) institutions (and noting that each school may exceed these minimal standards):
Vaccinated Individuals: Exempt from surveillance testing. Would only test if medical provider deems symptoms warrant testing. Duty to report symptoms to Athletic Trainer and Health and Wellness.
Unvaccinated Individuals: Test 25% of unvaccinated student athletes on a one-time-per-week schedule, this test can be PCR or antigen. The institution may request additional testing per week as needed for competition and community safety. Would also test if medical provider deems symptoms warrant testing. Risk mitigation strategies include, but are not limited to, masking, social distancing, and proper hygiene.
Team Travel: Vaccinated individuals will travel only after a symptom checker is performed. Unvaccinated individuals will be required to test by either PCR (72 hours prior)/Antigen (24 hours/day of) prior to each departure. Unvaccinated individuals will also remain socially distant from other team members, and mask always.
Isolation/Quarantine: Queens University Sports Medicine will continue to contact trace COVID-19 cases, based on the most recent guidelines published by the state and local health authorities.
Any issues with meeting roster minimums, which affect the ability to participate in a scheduled athletic contest, will be discussed with conference office.
Officials: Support SAC decision that all officials need to provide either proof of vaccination or a negative test within one week of contest prior to working an event. Cost of testing to be incurred by official and NO testing will be done on site.
Student-Athlete Return to Campus Guidelines
Prior to arrival, Queens must have record of your vaccination status, and updated medical history, with a front and back copy of your insurance card. If travel back to school involves physical distancing challenges (e.g., air or commuter bus travel), please follow your country, state, or local traveling guidelines.
Upon arrival ALL student-athletes will be screened and/or tested, no team-related activities or gatherings should occur until a team's vaccination status and medical clearance is provided by the medical staff (Sports Medicine in collaboration with Health and Wellness).
To limit the risk of COVID-19 on campus at the start of the semester, all unvaccinated students and employees must have a COVID-19 test upon returning to campus. Details on when are where to test are forthcoming.
Mitigating risk with infection control practices
Every student-athlete and all athletics personnel should be mindful of symptoms that might preclude exercise/sport participation either because of personal risk or risk of transmission of an illness to others. Any individual who is feeling unwell should avoid entering the athletics department (or other social space) and should speak with an athletic trainer or physician regarding symptoms so that a management plan can be developed.
In addition to staying at home when feeling unwell, other best practices learned from COVID-19 remain relevant. Before eating, after using the bathroom, or after coughing or sneezing into the hand, people should wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Physical distancing and masking for unvaccinated individuals remain the most effective strategies for preventing COVID-19 spread at the community level. Common-sense procedures such as wiping down shared equipment or tables are part of standard precautions for all potentially infectious diseases.