The University of Wyoming Athletics department announced on Wednesday that a portion of student-athletes from football and men’s and women’s basketball will return to campus on Monday, June 1 to participate in voluntary athletic activities.

Other student-athletes will arrive on campus throughout the summer in various phases. The decision comes in conjunction with the NCAA Council’s Wednesday vote to lift the moratorium on athletic-related activities.

“Our first priority is the health and well-being of our student-athletes, our campus community and the surrounding area,” said UW Director of Athletics Tom Burman. “We have done a deep dive into all of the options available, including quarantining and testing, and we feel good about our plan going forward. With quarantining and testing we believe there will be limited risk to our community, campus, staff and student-athletes.”

The University of Wyoming officials said they’re “committed to keeping student-athletes, staff, coaches, campus and the community as safe as possible amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” saying the transition back to sports “will be done in a measured, disciplined way that accounts for the safety and well-being of everyone involved.”

In consultation with medical professionals and university administrators, UW says it’s developed a logistical, tactical and data-driven plan to allow student-athletes to return to campus. The plan will remain flexible in order to adequately conform to the most recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the U.S. Department of Education and the State of Wyoming, UW officials said.

“This will be under strict supervision with strict limitations,” Primary Care Physician/Medical Director Dr. Matthew Boyer said of the plan to allow some students to voluntarily return to campus. “In preparing this policy, we are following national and local government recommendations for resocialization.”

The announcement was met with excitement from Cowboy quarterback Sean Chambers, who was sidelined by an injury last season.

“ITS TIME TO WORK!!” Chambers tweeted on Wednesday. “WE’RE BACK.”

A few of the protocols being undertaken by UW include:

• All student-athletes returning to Laramie will receive required surveillance testing for COVID-19. Surveillance testing will also be done on all university personnel who will regularly interact and come into contact with student-athletes.

• All student-athletes will complete a 14-day self-quarantine upon returning to Laramie.

• Weight room access will be limited to only student-athletes and coaches/staff who have completed a 14-day self-quarantine and been tested and cleared by sports medicine staff. Sports medicine clearance will occur on a daily basis and include a daily temperature check and completion of a quick medical questionnaire/survey.

• Policies and procedures will be implemented to ensure that all areas/equipment are cleaned after usage and at additional times throughout the day, plus “deep cleanings” multiple times per week.

• All student-athletes/coaches/staff will initially be provided face coverings/masks and will be required to wear them at all times except when otherwise approved by UW’s sports medicine staff.