SEC requiring weekly tests, masks for unvaccinated players, coaches, staff
With one week until the first SEC football game, the league is changing its COVID-19 protocols in hopes of boosting vaccination rates.
According to Heather Dinich, the SEC has eliminated its 85% vaccination threshold and will now require all unvaccinated players, coaches, and staff to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing and wear masks in team facilities. Under the previous policy, teams with at least 85% of players, coaches, and staff vaccinated would not be required to participate in weekly testing or wear masks.
SEC Vaccination Rates
At SEC Media Days last month, Commissioner Greg Sankey said at least six of the league’s 14 teams had reached the 80% vaccination mark. He didn’t give names, but in the weeks since, many SEC teams have released their vaccination rates. Ole Miss has 100% of its team vaccinated, Alabama all but one player, LSU 97%, Vanderbilt north of 95%, and Georgia over 85%.
Kentucky has yet to release its vaccination numbers, but Mark Stoops said earlier this month that he believes they will reach the 85% mark (not that it matters anymore).
“We are in a good strong position,” Stoops said on August 6. “I feel like we’ll reach the goal. But that’s a touchy subject. I addressed it with the team. We’re very open and honest and communicate often about a lot of things, and that is an individual choice. We’ll continue to educate them, and everybody will do what’s best for them or what they feel most comfortable with. But I do feel like we’ll reach the goal that the league has set.”
On Monday, UK released a video of Stoops encouraging vaccinations.
SEC still finalizing COVID-19 forfeiture policy
The SEC is the only Power 5 conference that has yet to release its official COVID-19 game cancellation policy. At SEC Media Days, Sankey indicated that teams that cannot meet the roster minimum for a game due to COVID-19 will have to forfeit. Additionally, Andy Staples reported earlier this week that the league is considering docking revenue share from teams that have to forfeit if that forfeit costs the league television money.
The first SEC game is one week from today when Tennessee hosts Bowling Green.
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