INFORMATION PERTINENT TO THE 2021-22 ACADEMIC YEAR
COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
Montana State University Billings Intercollegiate Athletics Department will follow institution, GNAC and NCAA recommendations regarding COVID-19.
MSUB Campus Community
Due to the increased rate of COVID-19 transmission and its variants in Yellowstone County, we are recommending that
all individuals regardless of vaccination status wear face masks or face coverings indoors on both university and City College campus effective immediately.
This recommendation aligns with the
guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued July 27, 2021 which encourages wearing face masks indoors in places with “high” transmission rates, such as Yellowstone County. We will continue with the indoor mask recommendation until our county’s level of community transmission is reduced. Check the
CDC’s website for an integrated, county view of COVID-19 data.
Face masks and coverings are an effective way to slow the spread of COVID-19 but the best thing we can do to protect ourselves and our community is to get vaccinated against COVID-19. We have been offering free community vaccination clinics throughout the summer in partnership with RiverStone Health, and our next one is on
Tuesday, September 7 from 10am-12pm on university campus in the SUB Banquet A&B. Both the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine and two-dose Pfizer vaccine will be available. No appointment is necessary.
MSUB COVID-19 Resource and Information Page
NCAA Resocialization of Collegiate Sport Recommendations
Resocialization of Collegiate Sport: 2021 Fall Training and Competition (August 4, 2021)
*Please read the above document prior to reading the FAQ below*
NCAA Resources
Sport Science Institute
NCAA Social Series – Episode 69: Vaccines & Fall Sports (August 6, 2021)
GNAC COVID-19 Information
*Canadian Border Information*
FAQs
Q: Why are these protocols in place when the state of Montana has no protocols?
A: These protocols in the Fall 2021 Training and Competition document were developed with the NCAA COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group. These protocols are being followed by NCAA and GNAC institutions to put everyone’s health and safety first as we compete this year.
Q: Will I be required to take a COVID-19 vaccination to participate in intercollegiate athletics at MSUB?
A: You will not be required to take a COVID-19 vaccination to participate in intercollegiate athletics at MSUB.
Q: If I am fully vaccinated then why do I have protocols?
A: If you are fully vaccinated then you have less stringent protocols, however with the new COVID-19 variants, the vaccine may be less effective with transmission suppression. So these protocols are to continue to ensure your health and safety and the health and safety of those around you.
Q: If I test COVID-19 positive what do I do?
A: Regardless of vaccination status, if you test COVID-19 positive you will need to isolate for 10 days, either at your off-campus house or in campus housing. After 10 days, and you are symptom free, you can return to normal activities. In order to return to athletic activities, you must be cleared by the Return to Play protocol by MSUB Sports Medicine staff.
Q: What do I do about my classes if I miss them because of COVID-19?
A: Please reach out directly to your professor if you know you will miss a class because a COVID-19 protocol. If needed, feel free to get your coach or our Faculty Athletic Representative Tom Rust involved at
trust@msubillings.edu.
Q: If I am fully vaccinated and I am a close contact then what do I do?
A: If you are fully vaccinated you will not need to isolate or quarantine if you are a close contact unless you’re displaying symptoms. However, you can become a ‘high-risk’ close contact in which case you will be held out of team activities and be required to wear a mask in public for 72hrs. After 72hrs
and you test negative for COVID-19 then you can resume all activities.
Q: What is a ‘high-risk’ close contact?
A: A high-risk close contact is defined as someone who you have been in excessive contact with. A teammate who you only see at practice may not be a high-risk. However, a roommate, best friend or significant other likely will be a high-risk close contact and will go into the 72hr period as listed above.
Q: How often do I have to test?
A: If you are unvaccinated you will need to COVID-19 Antigen test three times a week or COVID-19 PCR test once a week. If you are fully vaccinated, you will only need to test if you are displaying symptoms or if it is a travel requirement from your destination.
Q: Regardless of my vaccination status, can I travel and participate in all team activities?
A: As of right now, if you are unvaccinated then you will not be able to travel to Canada and compete against Simon Fraser. If you are fully vaccinated, to enter Canada, you will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of crossing the Canadian border and provide proof of vaccination. All other competitions are dependent on what the host university is requiring for vaccination status or testing protocols.
Q: Do I have to wear a mask?
A: Masks in Montana and on MSUB’s campus are currently recommended so no one can require you to wear one. However, masks may be required during travel, especially while flying, and on other school’s campuses and venues. Everyone must comply with local and campus masking policies while traveling.
Q: What if I do not want to test or follow these protocols?
A: As it currently stands, we cannot treat our unvaccinated students differently than our fully vaccinated students (House Bill 702). However, we are working with the Commissioner of Higher Education on more specific protocols.
Q: If someone on my team tests positive, will we still have a game that day/week?
A: Upon a positive COVID-19 test, teams will go on a ‘pause’ until MSUB contact tracers have completed their process. If a team has less than three positive tests and have enough student-athletes left to compete then they can compete. This is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Q: What if my team has an outbreak?
A: According to NCAA guidelines, an ‘outbreak’ is three or more concurrent positive COVID-19 test results. Upon this happening, a team will be put on pause indefinitely until MSUB contact tracers complete their process and all symptomatic individuals or close contacts have completed a test.
Q: Do I have to wear a mask outdoors while I’m on campus?
A: Currently, the masking policy is specific to indoor buildings and facilities.
Q: Will I have to wear a mask in the fitness facility?
A: While you are training with your team during a designated team training session, the NCAA Resocialization of College Sport recommendation is that you do not have to wear a mask. If you are training in the fitness facility outside of a designated team training session, MSUB’s campus policy recommends that you wear a mask.
Q: Will spectators be allowed at our athletic events this academic year?
A: Currently, spectators are allowed at our athletic events.
Q: Will spectators be required to wear a mask?
A: In accordance with the current recommendation for students, faculty, staff, etc.; we recommend spectators and visitors to MSUB’s campus wear a mask.
