June 20, 2020
UCLA Athletics has released its comprehensive, four-phase Return to Training plan, which begins with Phase One of voluntary return on June 22, in accordance with state and local health orders. The department has worked closely with its student-athletes, campus leadership, medical experts, public health officials and the Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee to develop a comprehensive plan that prioritizes the health and safety of student-athletes, coaches and staff.
UCLA's nearly 700 student-athletes have been divided into four groups for the purposes of a manageable, phased return. The timeline for return of Groups 2-4 has not yet been established, and will be guided based on continued recommendations from medical experts and public health officials.
Phase One of the plan is the Return to Campus phase. Beginning Monday, June 22, Fall Olympic sport student-athletes who live locally and football student-athletes (Group 1) may choose to return to campus to begin the process of returning to voluntary and permissible activities.
As student-athletes return to campus, their mode of transportation will determine whether they are required to complete a quarantine period prior to beginning Phase One. Those who travel by personal vehicle will not be required to quarantine, while those who travel by plane will be required to self-quarantine for a period of seven days before reporting to athletic facilities for medical screening.
Once the quarantine period, if applicable, has passed, all returning student-athletes will be tested for COVID-19 and antibodies. In addition to testing, all student-athletes will undergo comprehensive physical and mental health screenings and be provided educational and training opportunities specific to COVID-19 procedures. Once they have completed the aforementioned procedures, and medical personnel have cleared them, they may move into Phase Two.
Phase Two (Return to Athletic Performance)
Phase Two of the plan is the Return to Athletic Performance phase. During this phase, designated groups of student-athletes and staff who have been given clearance through Phase One may begin voluntary workouts that include strength and conditioning activities and agility training. These workouts will be conducted in designated groups of 10 or less and will be overseen by athletic performance staff members. Sports medicine treatment is also permitted during Phase Two. Frequent and extensive sanitization of all equipment will take place between scheduled groups.
Anyone entering an athletic facility during Phases One and Two must adhere to the following protocol:
Phase Three of the plan is the Return to Practice Phase. During this phase, designated student-athletes and staff who have been given clearance through Phases One and Two will be permitted to return to permissive voluntary captains' practices and/or skill work, as well as organized team practices within PAC-12 and NCAA guidelines. At this time, there is no timetable for moving into this phase.
Phase Four (Return to Competition)
Phase Four of the plan is the Return to Competition Phase. During this phase, designated student-athletes and staff who have given clearance through the three prior phases will return to competitions within PAC-12 and NCAA guidelines. Separate, specific plans will be developed for each sport's competitions based on state and local guidelines.
The Return to Training plan outlines protocols for handling positive tests of student-athletes and staff at any point, and establishes methods to maintain low risks for exposure, including diagrams for flow of entry to and exit from buildings to minimize cross-contamination and congestion.
Department personnel have worked closely with custodial experts and infectious disease personnel to develop a robust sanitization plan inclusive of daily use of electrostatic cleaning equipment, as well as thorough procedures to sanitize each piece of equipment within the athletic performance and sport medicine rooms during use. General use spaces within facilities, which will be limited to entry lobbies and restrooms, will see high touch point fixtures sanitized on a frequent basis throughout building operation hours.
During the early phases of the return plan, student-athletes will not have access to building amenities such as locker rooms, meeting rooms, or other team areas. Laundry services will be provided in the interest of promoting maintenance of good personal hygiene, and the department will provide face coverings for all student-athletes and staff to use.
Athletic nutrition staff will provide necessary fueling materials for student athletes by way of pre-packaged snacks and ready-to-drink beverages to keep its student-athletes properly fueled. Hydration services will be provided to student-athletes while on-site for training, and careful attention will be placed on refilling bottles.
Of critical importance will be the compliance of student-athletes and staff to committing to the common and required social standards of physical distancing and use of face coverings. All department staff working on campus and student-athletes have been encouraged to take careful consideration to decisions being made outside athletic facilities and are encouraged to avoid social situations such as large gatherings and crowded places which could make them more susceptible to contracting COVID-19. This will be a key component to ushering in subsequent groups of student-athletes and phases of return.
Please note: The Return to Training plan is a living document that will continue to be updated based on the most current available medical information and state and local health orders.
June 17, 2020
UCLA Athletics to Begin Phase One of Return to Training Plan on June 22
In accordance with current state and local health orders, UCLA Athletics will enter Phase One of its four-phase Return to Training plan beginning June 22. The department has worked closely with campus leadership, medical experts, public health officials and the Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee to develop a comprehensive plan for voluntary return that prioritizes the health and safety of student-athletes, coaches and staff.
Starting Monday, Fall Olympic sport (men's and women's soccer, women's volleyball, men's water polo and cross country) student-athletes who live locally and football student-athletes may choose to return to campus to begin the process of returning to voluntary and permissible activities. The Return to Campus phase (Phase One) will consist of COVID-19 and antibody testing and comprehensive screening of both physical and mental well-being prior to the Return to Athletic Performance activities (Phase Two).
To allow student-athletes to make an informed decision on whether to return, team-by-team communication and detailed education on the plan will take place this week for all student-athletes who are eligible to return on Monday, along with their families.
Additional details on the return plan will be outlined later this week.
UCLA Athletics has released its comprehensive, four-phase Return to Training plan, which begins with Phase One of voluntary return on June 22, in accordance with state and local health orders. The department has worked closely with its student-athletes, campus leadership, medical experts, public health officials and the Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee to develop a comprehensive plan that prioritizes the health and safety of student-athletes, coaches and staff.
UCLA's nearly 700 student-athletes have been divided into four groups for the purposes of a manageable, phased return. The timeline for return of Groups 2-4 has not yet been established, and will be guided based on continued recommendations from medical experts and public health officials.
- Group 1: Fall Olympic sport student-athletes who live locally and football student-athletes
- Group 2: Basketball student-athletes
- Group 3: Remaining Fall Olympic sport student-athletes and all other student-athletes who live locally
- Group 4: All remaining student-athletes
Phase One of the plan is the Return to Campus phase. Beginning Monday, June 22, Fall Olympic sport student-athletes who live locally and football student-athletes (Group 1) may choose to return to campus to begin the process of returning to voluntary and permissible activities.
As student-athletes return to campus, their mode of transportation will determine whether they are required to complete a quarantine period prior to beginning Phase One. Those who travel by personal vehicle will not be required to quarantine, while those who travel by plane will be required to self-quarantine for a period of seven days before reporting to athletic facilities for medical screening.
Once the quarantine period, if applicable, has passed, all returning student-athletes will be tested for COVID-19 and antibodies. In addition to testing, all student-athletes will undergo comprehensive physical and mental health screenings and be provided educational and training opportunities specific to COVID-19 procedures. Once they have completed the aforementioned procedures, and medical personnel have cleared them, they may move into Phase Two.
Phase Two (Return to Athletic Performance)
Phase Two of the plan is the Return to Athletic Performance phase. During this phase, designated groups of student-athletes and staff who have been given clearance through Phase One may begin voluntary workouts that include strength and conditioning activities and agility training. These workouts will be conducted in designated groups of 10 or less and will be overseen by athletic performance staff members. Sports medicine treatment is also permitted during Phase Two. Frequent and extensive sanitization of all equipment will take place between scheduled groups.
Anyone entering an athletic facility during Phases One and Two must adhere to the following protocol:
- Daily temperature screening
- Daily wellness survey
- Face coverings must be worn at all times (unless activity suggests otherwise)
- *Physical distancing (at least six feet) at all times
- Designated student-athlete groups must be 10 or less
- Use of facilities will be limited to areas where athletic performance and sports medicine activities are taking place
Phase Three of the plan is the Return to Practice Phase. During this phase, designated student-athletes and staff who have been given clearance through Phases One and Two will be permitted to return to permissive voluntary captains' practices and/or skill work, as well as organized team practices within PAC-12 and NCAA guidelines. At this time, there is no timetable for moving into this phase.
Phase Four (Return to Competition)
Phase Four of the plan is the Return to Competition Phase. During this phase, designated student-athletes and staff who have given clearance through the three prior phases will return to competitions within PAC-12 and NCAA guidelines. Separate, specific plans will be developed for each sport's competitions based on state and local guidelines.
The Return to Training plan outlines protocols for handling positive tests of student-athletes and staff at any point, and establishes methods to maintain low risks for exposure, including diagrams for flow of entry to and exit from buildings to minimize cross-contamination and congestion.
Department personnel have worked closely with custodial experts and infectious disease personnel to develop a robust sanitization plan inclusive of daily use of electrostatic cleaning equipment, as well as thorough procedures to sanitize each piece of equipment within the athletic performance and sport medicine rooms during use. General use spaces within facilities, which will be limited to entry lobbies and restrooms, will see high touch point fixtures sanitized on a frequent basis throughout building operation hours.
During the early phases of the return plan, student-athletes will not have access to building amenities such as locker rooms, meeting rooms, or other team areas. Laundry services will be provided in the interest of promoting maintenance of good personal hygiene, and the department will provide face coverings for all student-athletes and staff to use.
Athletic nutrition staff will provide necessary fueling materials for student athletes by way of pre-packaged snacks and ready-to-drink beverages to keep its student-athletes properly fueled. Hydration services will be provided to student-athletes while on-site for training, and careful attention will be placed on refilling bottles.
Of critical importance will be the compliance of student-athletes and staff to committing to the common and required social standards of physical distancing and use of face coverings. All department staff working on campus and student-athletes have been encouraged to take careful consideration to decisions being made outside athletic facilities and are encouraged to avoid social situations such as large gatherings and crowded places which could make them more susceptible to contracting COVID-19. This will be a key component to ushering in subsequent groups of student-athletes and phases of return.
Please note: The Return to Training plan is a living document that will continue to be updated based on the most current available medical information and state and local health orders.
June 17, 2020
UCLA Athletics to Begin Phase One of Return to Training Plan on June 22
In accordance with current state and local health orders, UCLA Athletics will enter Phase One of its four-phase Return to Training plan beginning June 22. The department has worked closely with campus leadership, medical experts, public health officials and the Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee to develop a comprehensive plan for voluntary return that prioritizes the health and safety of student-athletes, coaches and staff.
Starting Monday, Fall Olympic sport (men's and women's soccer, women's volleyball, men's water polo and cross country) student-athletes who live locally and football student-athletes may choose to return to campus to begin the process of returning to voluntary and permissible activities. The Return to Campus phase (Phase One) will consist of COVID-19 and antibody testing and comprehensive screening of both physical and mental well-being prior to the Return to Athletic Performance activities (Phase Two).
To allow student-athletes to make an informed decision on whether to return, team-by-team communication and detailed education on the plan will take place this week for all student-athletes who are eligible to return on Monday, along with their families.
Additional details on the return plan will be outlined later this week.
