SEC requiring weekly tests, masks for unvaccinated players and staff

With the college football season for the SEC kicking off next week, the conference has made some changes to their COVID-19 protocols as they hope to boost the vaccination rates.

Heather Dinich of ESPN reported on Thursday that the SEC has decided to eliminate the 85% vaccination threshold and now require all unvaccinated players, coaches, and staff to have weekly COVID testing and wear a mask in team facilities.

Before this change, once 85% of a team was vaccinated, weekly testing and masks were not required.

Since SEC media days, several teams have released their vaccination numbers. Ole Miss has 100% vaccination, Alabama has all but one player vaccinated, LSU 97%, Vanderbilt has more than 95%, and Georgia is over 85%.

As for the Kentucky Wildcats, they have not yet released their vaccination numbers. However, Mark Stoops said earlier this month that he believed the team would reach the 85% threshold. Although that no longer matters for avoiding tests and masks.

It will be interesting to see if the new rule changes spark an increase in vaccination rates across the SEC.

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