The Jacksonville Jaguars will reopen club facilities and offices at TIAA Bank Field on May 26, according to a news release from the NFL franchise.
The stadium will not reopen to the public or non-Jaguars employees, according to the release. Team coaches and players, except players undergoing medical rehabilitation, are not permitted in the club facility.
The Jaguars began personnel restrictions at the stadium March 12, one day before Mayor Lenny Curry issued a local state of emergency in Duval County, and employees have been working virtually through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The reopening of the Jaguars office under established NFL guidelines represents a positive next step toward the return of Jaguars football,” Jaguars President Mark Lamping said in the news release.
“The Jaguars have remained open for business throughout the last several weeks, and I’m exceptionally proud of how our employees transitioned to virtual collaboration.”
Personnel from football operations, strength and conditioning, athletic training, equipment, facility management and technology will be allowed to return to stadium offices.
Jaguars management appointed Heath Athletic Trainer Scott Trulock as the team’s infection control officer, according to the release, and created an Infectious Response Team following the NFL’s COVID-19 protocol.
That response team, led by head team physician Kevin Kaplan, team internist Mike Yorio and infectious disease physician Ken Meyer, will be responsible for the safety protocol.
“Between now and May 26, the team is finalizing and testing its safety protocols before admitting new employees,” the release states. “The safety protocols include adding additional signage, education about respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene, ensuring social distancing where possible, placing markings on the floor to help with social distancing and implementing a process to audit cleaning protocols.”
The response team has been consulting with team leadership on employee safety under NFL and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, the news release says.
Employees will be required to complete a training exercise, questionnaire and take multiple temperature checks, according to the release.
A maximum of 75 employees will be permitted to be on-site at TIAA Bank Field beginning May 26, but no more than 50% of the team’s football staff.
All employees will be required to wear masks while inside the stadium. The plan includes social distancing measures and a rotating work schedule.
“Just as we will do for our fans, players and coaches, the Jaguars will continue to take all necessary precautions to ensure the well-being of our staff,” Lamping said.