Pac-12 announces football game-week coronavirus protocols

The Pac-12 announced its coronavirus testing protocol for football teams during game-week in light of the season kicking off this Saturday.

Football players will receive point-of-care antigen testing each day of full practice, high-risk activity, travel days and game days. They will also receive weekly PCR testing within 36 hours of game time or travel time, depending on whether the team is at home or away.

If a player tests positive during any point-of-care testing, they are required to have a follow-up PCR test within 24 hours. If a player tests positive while traveling, air ambulance service will be available.

Game day testing will take place six to eight hours before kickoff. If the game is scheduled to take place before 12 p.m., testing can occur the day before the game is scheduled.

Coaches must submit to twice a week point-of-care testing, including day of travel (if applicable) and on game day.

Officials must submit to a point-of-care test prior to travel (if applicable) and on game day.

Any member of the visiting travel party must partake in a point-of-care test the day of travel and on game day. The home team sideline group must also submit to antigen testing.

All testing will be completed by a third-party entity, SafeSiteTM.

During the game, all individuals in the stadium must wear a face covering that correctly covers the nose and mouth. Players may remove their face covering while in the field of play but must put the face covering back on once they return to the sidelines.

Face shields alone are not an acceptable face covering option. They may be used in conjunction with any surgical mask, cloth mask or neck gaiter.