COVID-19 Protocols

COVID-19 CRITERIA FOR ATHLETES AND MEDICAL PROVIDERS

Due to new data on vaccine effectiveness with Delta and Omicron variants, for USATF sanctioned events that take place on or after January 7, 2022, being fully vaccinated no longer exempts select participants from the requirement to produce a negative COVID-19 test.
 
All athlete participants and medical providers must produce a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), performed within 3 calendar days of the first day of the event. 

• NAATs use many different methods to detect the virus, with the most common being RT-PCR and LAMP. A listing of the multiple NAAT types from the CDC can be found here.
• The NAAT can be an at-home test if the test is FDA authorized and must include a digital or printed results form linked to the test (i.e., cannot be a picture of a test strip or reader). 
• The most common places to access NAATs are:
  • Local pharmacies and laboratories (such as CVS, Walgreens, and Quest Diagnostics).
  • Online testing lab locators, such as www.testfortravel.com
  • At home, rapid (30 min) LAMP NAAT kits with online results reporting. Can be obtained through:
    • https://www.meenta.io/product/lucira-check-it-covid-19-test-kit/
    • https://checkit.lucirahealth.com/
    • Amazon (search Lucira Check-it COVID-19 Test)

The only exemption from the testing requirement is if the individual had a laboratory or physician-verified positive COVID-19 test via NAAT or antigen testing within 90 days of the competition. The individual will be cleared for competition after completing either:

• 10 days of recovery and be asymptomatic (no testing required)
• 5 days of recovery, be asymptomatic, and test negative (can be NAAT or antigen)

Note that COVID-19 antibody testing is NOT currently accepted to meet the negative COVID-19 test criterion. 

These protocols are subject to change. Last updated 1/13/2022.