BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (November 17, 2020) – The Southeastern Conference will use KINEXON SafeZone technology, the same cutting-edge wearable proximity devices used in SEC football games, to enhance COVID-19 contact tracing efforts during the 2020-21 men’s and women’s basketball seasons, the Conference announced Tuesday.
KINEXON SafeZone technology includes lightweight, wearable devices, called SafeTags, which will be used conference-wide for men’s and women’s basketball student-athletes during practices and games. The devices will also be used by officials during all SEC men’s and women’s basketball games.
Approximately the size of a watch face, the device can be built into equipment or uniforms for use on-field in practices and games.
“We have been pleased with the results produced by the use of the KINEXON SafeZone technology in football to support a healthy environment for student-athletes,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “KINEXON continues to provide the SEC with a modern and effective solution to meet the unique contact tracing challenges associated with athletic competition in close contact sports.”
SafeZone uses ultra-wideband technology to accurately calculate the proximity between individuals by distance and length of time in order to perform quick and accurate contact tracing when someone is symptomatic or tests positive for COVID-19. The contact data is logged in a secure system and can be accessed to contact trace in the event of an infection.
"KINEXON SafeZone has played an essential role in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 within SEC football programs," said KINEXON Executive Vice President Jim Garofalo. "Our trusted digital approach to contact tracing will be a contributing factor which allows the conference's men's and women's basketball season to be played safely. With our solution, school medical officials are empowered to use real data to identify exposure to the virus."
Contact tracing has long been recognized by public health experts as one of the most effective strategies to limit the spread of infectious disease. Contact tracing is one element of a comprehensive SEC COVID-19 management plan, among a set of protocols that employ testing, physical distancing and facility sanitization.