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NCAA releases updated COVID-19 guidance, policies as March Madness approaches
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The NCAA has released new guidance and policies pertaining to COVID-19 as both men’s and women’s basketball creeps closer to the March Madness tournaments. The organization revealed the new guidance on Tuesday afternoon.
The updates come as some mid-major conferences begin their conference tournaments this week. Other leagues still have one week remaining in the regular season.
Although the guidance encourages indoor masking when Tier 1 individuals are not practicing and competing, in their hotel room, or eating and drinking, each team may also implement protocols that are in keeping with local public health authorities and the updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on COVID-19 Community Level and COVID-19 Prevention. The guidance does not require on-site testing for asymptomatic individuals in Tier 1.
All individuals in the official travel party will be considered Tier 1. Before traveling to championship sites, they must be tested for COVID-19 or meet the requirements for exemption from testing.
To be exempt from testing, a Tier 1 participant must be fully vaccinated or have documentation of a COVID-19 infection within the previous 90 days. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated if they are 14 days past completing the primary series of vaccination or have completed the primary series of vaccination and have received a booster.
Last season, the NCAA Tournament was played entirely in Indianapolis. Despite concerns, only one team — VCU — was forced to forfeit because of protocols.
This year’s tournament will begin on Tuesday, March 15 with the First Four games. The first round will begin on Thursday, March 17.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB