Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars reopen club facility Tuesday

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Per the NFL’s protocol for the reopening of club facilities, the Jaguars and Bold Events will begin phase one of the reopening of their offices Tuesday.

Despite the personnel restrictions that have been in place since March 12, the Jaguars’ football and business operations have remained fully open on a virtual basis for the entirety of 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. “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. They maintained the same high standard of customer service our fans have come to expect and have found creative ways to keep fans informed, engaged, active and entertained. 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, general manager Dave Caldwell, head coach Doug Marrone, Chief Legal Officer Megha Parekh and head athletic trainer Scott Trulock, the team’s newly appointed infection control officer, have been working together to determine the best course of action for reopening the Jaguars offices inside TIAA Bank Field to ensure the safety of all employees. Following NFL protocol for the reopening of club facilities, the Jaguars have established an Infectious Response Team (IRT), which consists of team leadership, medical personnel and employees from the security, operations and legal departments.

The IRT, led by head team physician Kevin Kaplan, team internist Mike Yorio and infectious disease physician Ken Meyer, has been in constant communication to ensure that the health and safety of all employees are paramount and have enacted the following protocols in conjunction with all NFL guidelines and advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local and state government:

The Jaguars’ IRT is responsible for the implementation of a screening process, which requires employees to complete a training exercise and questionnaire and undergo multiple temperature checks. A maximum of 75 employees, but no more than 50% of the team’s football staff, is permitted to be on-site at TIAA Bank Field beginning May 26.

This group includes personnel from football operations, strength and conditioning, athletic training, equipment, facility management and technology.

Between now and May 26, the team is finalizing and testing its safety protocols before admitting new employees. 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.

All employees who return to the facility will do so on a voluntary basis, as long as they are comfortable returning to the stadium.

Masks must be worn in the stadium by all employees unless they are alone in their offices. For those employees who work in close proximity to others, the team’s IRT has been working to construct a strategic entry plan to maintain proper social distancing and will institute a rotational work schedule based on office location and timing.

Protocol for how the team will respond to a situation where someone tests positive for COVID-19 or experiences related-symptoms has been created by the club’s IRT and will be handled in a diligent manner.

Coaches and players, besides those players currently undergoing medical rehabilitation, are not permitted to be at the club facility at this time. In addition, to maintain the integrity of the team’s safety procedures, all nonemployee visitors are also not permitted at TIAA Bank Field at this time.

Fans and vendors with questions are encouraged to contact the Jaguars ticket office at (904) 633-2000 with any questions.