MANILA – Even if the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) eases restrictions in some parts of the country amid the continuing fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), contact sports are still prohibited.
Department of Trade and Industry secretary Ramon Lopez, a member of the IATF-EID, said sporting events like basketball, volleyball and one-on-one combat will not take action yet.
“Ang mga sports kung saan nagkakadikitan ‘yung mga players, ‘yun ang mga high-risk for COVID-19 infection,” said Lopez in an interview with DZMM over the weekend.
On the other hand, non-contact sports such as tennis, table tennis and golf can likely resume.
Fitness facilities could also be reopened.
“For example ay ‘yung mga marathon at biking and yung’ single sports na badminton, tennis o table tennis. ‘Yung mga walang katabi at nagbabanggan. Kasama na rin ang golf sa mga mao-open,” Lopez said.
“Sa fitness facilities naman, basta may minimum safety requirements tulad ng pagsuot ng mask, gloves and all of that,” he added.
The mentioned activities were not included in the government’s IATF on COVID-19 initial list of guidelines, but according to Lopez, the list could be adjusted in their upcoming meeting.
“Ang Department of Health ay maglalabas ng guidelines para mapayagan na ang ilang activities, lalo na ‘yung contactless. Napag-usapan na rin natin sa IATF ‘yan ang need for physical activities for mental health,” Lopez said./PN
Yesterday, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced that only Metro Manila, Laguna province and Cebu City are under “modified” enhanced community quarantine until May 31.
Several places in the country, on the other hand, were relegated to general community quarantine, while the community quarantine in Western Visayas will no longer take effect starting May 16./PN
