As the omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc across the nation, the NCAA has released amended COVID policies for its winter sports. The new policies take into account vaccination status and other immunity considerations for Tier 1 personnel, which includes student-athletes and coaches.

A Tier 1 individual will be considered “fully vaccinated” if they:

  • Are within two months of receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
  • Are within five months of receiving the Pfizer vaccine
  • Are within six months of receiving the Moderna vaccine
  • Have received a booster vaccine if they are beyond two months of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or beyond five or six months of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, respectively

Also, an individual who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the past 90 days and fully recovered will be considered “fully vaccinated.”

Those who test positive for the virus are recommended to quarantine for five days, and can then exit quarantine if they exhibit no symptoms, or their symptoms are lessening. It is also recommended that individual wears a mask around others for at least five days after exiting quarantine.

Close contacts are recommended to wear a mask around others for 10 days when not actively training or competing. Athletic competition does not require a mask. It is also recommended that these individuals test themselves on day five of this time period.

“The omicron variant has presented another surge of cases across the country,” NCAA Chief Medical Officer Brian Hainline said. “This guidance was designed to align with the latest public health directives. Given how the pandemic continues to evolve, it’s important that staff on member campuses continue to work with their local and state health officials on protocols most suitable for their locations.”

For UNC’s COVID policies regarding attendance at winter sports events, click here.

 

Featured image via Associated Press

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