Boise State will require athletes to test negative for COVID-19 before they practice
Boise State announced Friday that athletes will not be allowed to practice until they’ve tested negative for the coronavirus, and they will undergo testing at regular intervals.
The decision is part of Boise State’s fall reintegration plan. It follows the NCAA’s vote on Wednesday to end its moratorium on athletic-related activities and allow athletes to begin returning to campus on June 1.
In Friday’s press release, Boise State said practices and competitions will resume “when it is safe to do so.”
The athletics staff will be in charge of ensuring high-contact surfaces, such as training tables and weights, are disinfected regularly, and contact in practice “will occur under strict supervision with facial coverings (where appropriate), regular symptom checks and testing, and enhanced safety and hygiene measures,” per the release.
On Thursday, Boise State football coach Bryan Harsin didn’t have an exact timeline for when players would return, but he said it would happen in stages.
While Friday’s announcement is another step toward a fall sports season, Boise State also acknowledged it’s still far from a sure thing.
“Although the NCAA and the Mountain West Conference have not issued final guidance, we are aware that games or competitions may be reduced, delayed by weeks or even months, may occur without spectators or may be canceled entirely,” the school said in Friday’s release.
This story was originally published May 22, 2020 at 6:28 PM.
