South Carolina athletics outlines plans to address coronavirus concerns
South Carolina athletics is taking precautionary steps in response to the spread of the coronavirus, the department announced Wednesday.
While both collegiate and professional sports leagues have canceled events or played them without fans due to the outbreak, USC said all in-season sporting events will go on as scheduled for now, with some modifications.
Among the changes: Pre- and post-game handshakes between players, opposing teams and fans will not take place “until the coronavirus warnings are ceased,” a statement from USC read.
South Carolian football’s spring practice, but the schedule will likely change. The Gamecocks and coach Will Muschamp are scheduled to resume spring workouts next week after returning from spring break, but the university announced Wednesday that break had been extended a week due to the virus.
USC did acknowledge that Colonial Life Arena is likely to be selected as a host site for the first two rounds of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, as Dawn Staley’s No. 1 Gamecocks are in line to earn a top-16 seed that comes with hosting rights.
The NCAA has issued its own statement saying it is continuing to monitor the situation, but there has been growing debate and discussion about public health and the tournament, with some experts suggesting games be held with no fans in attendance.
“As the situation with the coronavirus progresses, University administrators will be in constant communication with the NCAA. The NCAA makes decisions on their events based on the best, most current public health guidance available. Neither the NCAA COVID-19 advisory panel, made up of leading public health and infectious disease experts in America, nor the CDC or local health officials have advised against holding sporting events. In the event circumstances change, the University and NCAA will collaborate and make decisions accordingly. At this time, we are moving forward as scheduled,” South Carolina’s statement read.
The Carolina men’s basketball team is currently in Nashville for the SEC tournament. Among the precautions taken there: Non-essential personnel, including media members, have been barred from team locker rooms, where postgame interviews with players have typically taken place.
Similarly, USC baseball will not have players interviewed in close-up group format, instead having them speak to reporters from an extended distance as several pro leagues have done.
South Carolina’s plans for addressing the coronavirus also include the following recommendations for people attending events at the university’s athletic venues:
▪ Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
▪ If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty. All Carolina athletics venues will have hand sanitizer stations.
▪ Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
▪ Stay home when you are sick.
▪ Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
▪ Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces with any disposable wipes.
▪ Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in households and community settings.
▪ If you have recently returned from a country with ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) infections, monitor your health and follow the instructions of public health officials.
▪ Per guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control people over the age of 60 with preexisting medical conditions should avoid attending events with large crowds because they are at greater risk of complications related to COVID-19.
This story was originally published March 11, 2020 at 2:53 PM.
