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NCR proposes only fully vaccinated can play, watch contact sports

November 13, 2021 Edd Reyes 210 views

THE Metro Manila Council (MMC) has recommended to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) the proposed guidelines for the conduct of contact sports in the metropolis amid the declining cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos, who is also the concurrent chair of the MMC, stressed that there is a need to recommend to the IATF the unified and official stand of the Metro Manila mayors on the conduct of contact sports subject to the IATF’s evaluation and consideration.

“A technical working group, headed by Department of Health-NCR Regional Director Dr. Gloria Balboa, was created to study the possible conduct of contact sports. It underwent a very tedious process,” said Abalos during the press briefing at the MMDA headquarters in Makati City on Saturday.

“Since players are susceptible to physical proximity with one another while spectators are inclined to cheer or chant in a crowd, having them fully vaccinated will reduce risk of transmission,” he added.

Based on MMDA Resolution No. 21-28, all 17 mayors of Metro Manila are unanimous in recommending the following policy guidelines: emphasis on the venue capacity limitations, vaccination status, observance of minimum public health standards and contact tracing; and with the players susceptible to physical proximity with one another while the spectators are inclined to cheer, jeer, shout, chant or sing collectively or in a crowd, only fully-vaccinated adults and minors shall be allowed to play or watch in an organized or unorganized event. This is to “incentivize” persons to get vaccinated. However, the resolution said players or spectators who are symptomatic shall not be allowed to play or watch the event. The local government unit (LGU) also has the prerogative to allow or disallow spectators in any contact sport event as the circumstances may require.

While players have the option not to wear face masks while playing, when not playing, they must wear face masks and observe social distancing. Spectators and all other persons shall wear face masks and observe social distancing at all times, the resolution stated.

In an organized event, for both public and private and indoor and outdoor venues, the organizer or venue owner will apply for the necessary permit from the LGU and declare the nature of the event, number of participants and duration as well as ensure that venue capacity limitations, vaccination requirements and minimum public health standards are strictly enforced.

Also, the organizer or venue owner shall have a written registry and health declaration of participants, spectators and all other persons in the event, stating their names, addresses and contact numbers, and conduct temperature check and verification of vaccination cards. The LGU shall supervise and ensure compliance of the organizer or venue operator.

As for unorganized events for both public and private and indoor and outdoor venues, the concerned barangay officials or venue owner shall supervise and ensure observance of venue capacity limitations, vaccination requirements and minimum public health standards.

Citing the IATF’s Guidelines on the Implementation of Alert Levels System for COVID-19 Response in Pilot Areas, indoor facilities should only be filled up to 50 percent, while outdoor areas at 70 percent of capacity and will only cater to fully vaccinated adults.

“With these guidelines we are recommending to the IATF, we can help the contact sports industry to get back in the game and give motivation to the public, especially the sports enthusiasts, to get fully vaccinated. However, we have to wait for the IATF’s approval on this matter,” Abalos said.

The MMC, composed of the 17 mayors of Metro Manila, is the governing and policy-making body of the MMDA.

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