Florida Gators staying in hotel while attempting to avoid COVID-19 issues

The Florida Gators endured a serious and concerning COVID-19 outbreak last fall that temporarily threatened their season and reportedly included head coach Dan Mullen, two assistants, and approximately 30 total players testing positive for the virus. 

According to The Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Mullen told reporters Thursday his team will spend at least part of training camp in a hotel as fall practice begins Friday amid surging coronavirus cases throughout the state. 

"We're going to have some protocols that we put in place," Mullen explained. "I think everyone's a little bit more educated about it now moving forward. ... I think there's a lot more familiarity with it right now.

"When you look at our protocols, how we're going about it within the ability to wear a mask, when we're wearing them, what situations, indoor compared to outdoors, how we're managing guys that have been vaccinated compared to non-vaccinated, I think we're just a lot more educated on how we adjust within what we're doing to keep everybody as safe as possible." 

Like the NFL, the SEC is allowing for the loosening of some health and safety protocols for programs that reach or exceed an 85% COVID-19 vaccination threshold. Mullen said his players "are probably over" that mark but did not offer an exact number.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey announced last month that games will not be rescheduled this fall because of COVID-19 issues and that teams unable to safely field squads could be made to forfeit this time around.

Florida is set to open the season by hosting the Florida Atlantic Owls on Sept. 4.