Safer Campus Initiative

As the situation surrounding COVID-19 evolves, we continue to do everything possible to create a safe environment on campus for athletes and staff, as well as do our part to make responsible decisions to protect those who are not on campus.

We are mirroring our policies based on the recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and are working closely with local health officials and our on-campus partner Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital. Please see below for our current boarding school protocols and health and safety policies.

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BOARDING SCHOOL PROTOCOLS

We will continue to evaluate our guidelines and make adjustments to our protocols in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Florida Department of Health and John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.

The following protocols have been updated as of October 20, 2021.

These protocols are subject to change based on what is best for the health and safety of our community, but we will make sure to keep this website updated as protocols change.

VACCINATION

Student Athletes are not required to be vaccinated to attend IMG Academy. If you are able to get vaccinated prior to returning to school, please do so. It is the best way to keep yourself and others safe.

If you are interested in having your student-athlete vaccinated, please email [email protected]

If a student receive a vaccination through the school year, vaccination cards must be sent to [email protected] to update SchoolDoc profiles

SIGN-OUTS + OFF-CAMPUS TRIPS

Parents are permitted to sign-out students for day and overnight trips off-campus.

Parents or host families may also sign-out one additional student for day and overnight trips off-campus. Parents or host families will be allowed to sign-out a maximum of two students.

Students must submit a REACH Leave Request to designate host families as an IMG Academy-approved local guardian.

Students must remain under the parents or host family’s supervision at all times while off-campus.

If a student leaves campus overnight, regardless of vaccine status, they will be required to be tested for COVID-19, obtain a negative result, and complete the Health Questionnaire before returning to their dorm.

The test results will need to be from a test taken within 24 hours of arriving on campus. The test can be a PCR or Rapid Antigen test (not an at-home testing kit). Results must include the student's name, test date, test result, and test type.

Starting October 21, Campus Life will begin conducting weekly off-campus trips for shopping, recreation, and other planned activities.

Students can sign up for trips through the REACH portal. While students can sign up for multiple trips, seats are limited. Trip frequency will be adjusted based on demand.

Students must follow all COVID protocols as designated by IMG Academy or off-campus destination. Failure to do so will result in loss of off-campus privileges.

Given the ever-evolving COVID situation, this protocol is subject to change.

CONTACT TRACING

Under CDC guidelines, vaccinated close contacts will be tested to ensure they are not asymptomatic carriers.

Vaccinated individuals will be tested for COVID-19 immediately and quarantined until test results are available. If the test results are negative and they show no symptoms, they will be released from quarantine.

Unvaccinated individuals will still be required to quarantine for 10 days if they are contact traced to a positive COVID-19 individual, regardless of symptoms or test results.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING

Indoor spacing in classrooms will be three feet while spacing in the cafeteria will be six feet. Classroom seating gives us the ability to know who is in each room for contact tracing purposes, whereas the cafeteria remains open seating, making it more difficult to contact trace. This will still allow for the recommended CDC spacing and we can return to a more normal classroom setup.

Based on the extremely low probability of contracting COVID-19 outdoors, paired with our vaccination rates, there will be no physical distancing required when outdoors.

FACIAL COVERINGS

Face coverings or masks will need to be worn by all individuals while indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

Based on the extremely low probability of contracting COVID-19 outdoors, paired with our vaccination rates, there will be no masks required when outdoors.

Boarding School Protocol FAQs

• Who is IMG Academy working with to build their health and safety protocols?

  IMG Academy is working in close conjunction with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, our on-campus health service provider and following the guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Florida Department of Health.

• Are classes in-person, online or hybrid?

  Classes are currently taking place in person on IMG campus. If you are an international student that is required by government order to self-isolate prior to arrival or have to miss the beginning of the school year because they test positive, please reach out to your advisor so we can discuss how classes and sport will look for you.

• Are masks mandatory?

  Masks are mandatory for all students and staff while indoors. Face coverings or masks can be taken off when outside. Please continue to do your best to socially distance outside.

• Do boarding students have interactions with non-boarding students? What are protocols for non-boarding students?

  Yes, boarding students have interactions with non-boarding students. Non-boarding students are asked to self-screen each day and remain off campus if they are not feeling well. Coaches also check in with students ahead of practice to make sure no one is exhibiting symptoms. Non-boarding students are not permitted in on campus dorms.

• What is your process for a positive case on campus?

  If a student tests positive for COVID-19 at any point while at IMG Academy, IMG Academy’s Director of Health and Safety will work with JHACH and the Florida Department of Health to administer any necessary contact tracing. The positive student will then be isolated either in Health Services away from other student-athletes and campers or in one of our isolation villas with a private bathroom. The student will then be isolated for 10 days as recommended by the CDC and county health officials. Parents/Guardians of the sick student may come and take the student home if able.

  JHACH has a 24-hour health clinic located onsite that is prepared to test for COVID-19 and has established their own internal protocols and procedures for the care of all patients with, or presumptive for, infectious diseases.

• Where will students be isolated if they test positive for COVID-19?

  The student will be quarantined in Health Services away from other student-athletes. We also have areas on campus that we have reserved for isolation cases and will notify parents of that location if/when their student needs to be moved. The students will still be monitored by JHACH staff and Campus Life who will check on their health as well as bring food. The student will then be quarantined for 10 days as recommended by the CDC and county health officials. Parents/Guardians of the sick student may come and take the student home if able.

• What safety measures are in place in the academic building and in classrooms?

  Classes are organized so desks and students are physically distanced at least three feet from one another based on CDC recommendations for classrooms. Sanitizing stations with automatic hand sanitizer dispensers and disinfecting wipes are available in each classroom.

• Is there an online schooling contingency plan for someone who becomes ill and has to quarantine?

  Yes, we have distance learning options available for those who have to self-isolate or quarantine.

• What precautions will be taken when other schools come to play at IMG Academy?

  We plan to share with other teams our guidelines for how we are keeping our kids safe, and we expect them not to have kids who are sick or have a family member that is sick to be traveling.

• What is contact tracing and what does the experience of a student look like if they are contact traced to a positive case?

  Contact tracing is the act of tracing individuals who were within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes, 48 hours prior to the start of symptoms. These individuals could be at risk of contracting the virus. Parents of contact traced students will be notified and the student will be isolated to a single room with a private bathroom. The individual will have to remain isolated for 10 days and our aim is to provide separate sport training as well as a distance learning plan to the extent that it is safe to do so.

  Under CDC guidelines, vaccinated close contacts will be tested to ensure they are not asymptomatic carriers. Vaccinated individuals will be tested for COVID-19 immediately and quarantined until test results are available. If the test results are negative and they show no symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell, etc.), they will be released from quarantine.

• Where can I find COVID-19 testing in my area?

  Below are some potential U.S. based testing options that you may find helpful when determining where to get a test for your student-athlete.

  • At Home Testing: You may want to consider testing at home with a company like Vault. Vault will send you a test kit, which can be used in the convenience of your home, returned and results provided within 72 hours. If you opt for this method, please be sure to reserve your test kit early.
  • Testing in your Area: To find testing sites in your area, please visit the Department of Health and Human Services website and use their locator tool to find a testing site closest to you.
  • Testing upon arrival in Florida: If you are local, or are arriving to Bradenton early please check the Manatee County Website for the most up-to-date information on state testing sites or make an appointment ahead of time with Ellenton Urgent Care (941-531-2800) or Bayshore Urgent Care (941-909-7900). Testing will not be provided on campus and you will not be allowed on campus until proof of a negative test has been provided (or proof of vaccination has been provided..

CURRENT HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Social Distancing:

IMG Academy personnel, athletes and any campus visitors will be required to comply with all social distancing guidelines in effect when on campus. The social distancing guidelines will be in accordance with the then-current federal, state and local recommendations, which is currently six feet.

Cleaning & Sanitation Procedures:

Enhanced cleaning and sanitation methods will be employed based on CDC recommendations to reduce risk to staff and athletes on campus. Some key elements of the cleaning and sanitation plan are noted below:

• Routine cleaning and disinfecting of communal spaces and commonly used surfaces
• Increased frequency of cleaning and disinfecting of communal spaces and commonly used surfaces
• Wipes and sanitizing spray are available and used by athletes for all shared training equipment and other items immediately after use.
• Cleaning and disinfecting of all shared training equipment and other items immediately after use.
• Athletes will be required to wash and/or sanitize their hands prior to the start of each programming session and immediately after the session.
• Touchless dispensers containing hand sanitizer with an alcohol content of 60% or greater have been placed in highly trafficked areas around campus.
• Electrostatic Disinfection will be utilized for areas identified as having been occupied by a COVID-19 positive individual.

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HOLIDAY CAMP PROTOCOLS

IMG Academy continues to use the utmost of caution to ensure the health and safety of everyone on campus. We have been following guidelines recommended by the CDC, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, and the Florida Department of Health, and have established specific protocols and procedures applicable to all campus visitors, employees, and our overall facilities.

For the most up-to-date travel restrictions, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website by clicking here.

JOHNS HOPKINS ALL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital is the exclusive provider of health services at IMG Academy. The Johns Hopkins All Children’s health services team on-site includes pediatric sports medicine specialists, nurses, and physical therapists. Their team has been an incredible resource as we’ve worked to reopen our campus this year. Dr. Patrick Mularoni, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital medical director of health services at IMG Academy, has advised our leadership team and acted as liaison with local public health officials to keep IMGA up-to-date on the latest information.

Click here to view a webinar in which Dr. Mularoni discusses our on-campus health and safety protocols.

Please be sure to complete your health and safety forms in SchoolDoc as well as the JHACH Questionnaire that will be sent to you 24 hours prior to your arrival on campus. Campers cannot participate in any camp activities until all required forms are completed.

TRAVEL TIPS FROM JOHNS HOPKINS ALL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital suggests that all campers traveling to IMG adhere to strict social distancing and mask use during their travel. Travelers should make sure to wash their hands regularly.

BEFORE ARRIVAL

Before arriving on campus, we need to learn more about your camper’s recent health and travel history.

• Please be sure to complete your health and safety forms in SchoolDoc as well as the JHACH COVID Questionnaire. These will be sent to you a week prior to camp arrival.
• As part of this process, proof of COVID vaccination (for those that are fully vaccinated) and a negative COVID test result should submitted. Both unvaccinated and vaccinated campers are required to provide a negative COVID test result taken within 96 hours of arrival.
• Tests can be either Rapid Antigen or PCR, they cannot be over-the-counter home tests. The COVID Questionnaire should be completed 24 hours prior to arrival.
  • Name, test date, test type, test result should all be clearly visible on the submitted test.
• Campers will not be allowed on campus if these forms have not been completed.
• Campers cannot participate in any camp activities until all required forms are completed.
• Campers should also bring at least two cloth face coverings (easily laundered), that can be worn during the duration of their camp.

CHECK-IN AND ARRIVAL

Upon arrival, all campers and families will be directed to the Campus Center where the check-in process will be conducted. Only campers who have submitted all required documents, passed the COVID Questionnaire and submitted a negative COVID test will be allowed on campus.

Out of an abundance of caution we are limiting facility access for parents and families due to health and safety of our on-campus population. We will have our Campus Life team assist with move-ins and have activities outdoors for families to enjoy.

Please note the below reminders as you prepare to check-in with us:

• Check-in will take place between 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. at the Campus Center; Please enter campus using the Bollettieri Blvd. entrance.
• Campers cannot have more than two other individuals with them at check-in.
• For the safety of those on campus, we ask that those not participating in camp remain outside campus buildings. There will be designated outdoor waiting areas.

DURING CAMP

In response to COVID-19 and in connection with recommendations from the American Camp Association, campers will be broken out into both large and small pods, based on age, skill and sport. These pods will socialize, participate in their sport and dine together with the goal of decreasing the amount of contact they will have with the larger population.

The purpose of these pods is to help limit interactions between our entire camp populations; however, complete separation of campers will not always be feasible. There will be times when pods may interact with one another (free time and after-sport activities, etc.). This interaction will be limited to and done within similar age groups.

Daily health screenings will conducted by IMG staff member. Campers exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms while on campus will be sent to Health Services. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital will then follow established procedures recommended by the Department of Health to isolate and administer a COVID-19 test for the individual if necessary. Isolation will occur either in Health Services away from other campers or in one of our lodge units with a private bathroom.

For their safety and the safety of others, the camper will be unable to participate in camp activities until cleared by Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. All campers are expected to abide by our Campus Health and Safety Protocols, as well as the IMG Academy Camp Rules.

A copy of the camp rules can be found in SchoolDoc.

For more information regarding COVID-19 and our purchace policy, please click here.

IF A CAMPER TESTS POSITIVE

If a camper tests positive for COVID-19 at any point while attending camp at IMG Academy, IMG Academy’s Director of Health and Safety will work with JHACH and the Florida Department of Health to conduct any necessary contact tracing.

Parents/Guardians of the sick camper and parents/guardians of any campers who have been deemed a close contact , will be required to arrange for the camper to leave campus within 48 hours (international) or 24 hours (domestic) of receipt of notice.

While we know this is not ideal, it is essential in maintaining a safe environment for the remainder of the IMG Academy community. If a vaccinated camper is a close contact and tests negative, they will be allowed to remain for the remainder of their scheduled camp.

CAMP CHECK-OUT

Campers must be checked out of their residence hall by 11 a.m. on check-out day.

• If your camper is being transported to the airport:
  • After receiving their check-out pass from their Campus Life Mentor, campers should go to the Campus Desk to collect their passport, remaining spending money, and meet up with their IMG transport.
• If you are coming to pick up your camper:
  • Parents should remain in their cars or wait outside the Campus Center while their camper checks-out.
  • A Campus Desk representative will be stationed outside the Campus Center. Parents can call their camper on their cell phone to tell them they have arrived or approach the Campus Desk employee who will call the dorms for the camper to be sent over for check-out.
  • Please feel free to call the Campus Center for additional info or to let us know you are on your way at 941-749-8748.
• Non-boarding campers will automatically be checked out after their last training session and do not need to return to campus.

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Protocols for EMPLOYEES

• Employees are utilizing a COVID screening application before leaving for work to determine if they have any COVID-19 symptoms (fever or chills, shortness of breath, cough, new loss of taste or smell, etc.). If employees or a household contact begins to feel sick, they are asked to report it to their manager and HR immediately and stay home until further notice.
• Employees have been asked to wear face coverings while inside campus buildings and to continue social distancing practices.
• Any employee who has flu-like symptoms or comes in close contact with someone who has flu like symptoms is required to tell their manager and will be asked to stay off campus for a minimum of 10 days.
• Habitual hand washing and sanitizing advisories and guidelines that we put in place in March 2020 will be heralded by employees before and after practice, before and after meals, and during any other group activities as applicable.

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General COVID-19 Information

• Travel
• Campers & Parents / Visiting Teams / Event Operators & Participants & Professional Athletes
• Legacy Hotel / Academy Park Villas / Lodge & Bollettieri Resort Villas
• IMG Academy Golf Club
• John Hopkins All Children's Hospital / Gatorade Sport Science Institute

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Travel

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommend getting tested and/or staying home after higher risk travel. Testing before and after travel can reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Testing does not eliminate all risk, but when paired with a period of staying at home and precautions like wearing masks and social distancing, it can make travel safer by reducing spread on planes, in airports, and at travelers’ destinations.

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CAMPERS & PARENTS / VISITING TEAMS / EVENT OPERATORS & PARTICIPANTS & PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES

• For immediate questions contact [email protected] or call 941-749-8660. Or, call/email your advisor directly.
• Check out for our last holiday camp will be on January 3. Camps will not run concurrently with boarding school.

View our full camp health and safety information

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IMG Academy Golf Club

The Golf Club still remains open at this time, but please see their website for current policies or contact [email protected].

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JOHNS HOPKINS ALL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL / GATORADE SPORT SCIENCE INSTITUTE

• Patients coming for physical therapy from off-campus have since been rescheduled at alternative facilities. Students who remain on campus still have access to physical therapy.
• Gatorade Sport Science Institute will be closed until further notice.

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