THE Davao City Government is set to come up with guidelines for contact sports as the city is now under a more relaxed Alert Level 2, considering that most of the minimum health protocols will not be properly observed in these events.
Davao City Sports Division Chief Mikey Aportadera said in a radio interview on Thursday, November 18, that his office is still coordinating with the Covid-19 Task Force on how to implement the new guidelines and mechanisms for contact sports to ensure the sports activities or events will not become a source of Covid-19 infection.
Aportadera said the guidelines are expected to come out anytime soon.
“If it is in the controlled and regulated area, for example, naay mga padula na the government and the organizer can somehow partner sa pagmanage ani pagpadagan ani nga event nga dili ta makapadaghan og mga cases sa Davao City. Mao na akong buot pasabot nga kaning depende asa nga venue,” the official said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.
(If it is in a controlled and regulated area, for example, the government and private sector organizer can partner in managing the event in preventing it from becoming a source of infection.)
According to the Alert Level 2 provisions, contact sports are allowed under the approval of the local government unit where the games will be held.
The guidelines on the nationwide implementation of the Alert Level Systems for Covid-19 Response as of November 11, allow “Contact sports approved by the LGU where such games shall be held.”
This meant that the contact sports opening is not automatic and still subject to the approval and discretion of the local government, Aportadera said.
Despite appeals from athletes and other sports enthusiasts, he said they are setting precautionary measures for contact sports as this might become a superspreader event.
“Mas maayo na i-prioritize nato ang safety sa tanan bag-o nato ni siya ablihan sa tanan. Nakasabot pud ko sa inyong mingaw sa inyuhang mga dula, basketball, volleyball, football but we cannot compromise the safety of everybody, so sabton lang sa nato, hulaton gud nato kay ako na ni siyang gihisgot ug tarong so hopefully we can compe up next week ug LGU tailored-fit na guidelines for Davao City for contact sports,” Aportadera said.
(It is best to prioritize the safety of all before these sites are opened. I understand how you missed playing basketball, volleyball, football but we cannot compromise the safety of everybody. So I am asking for your understanding, and to wait for the guidelines because we are discussing them carefully. And, hopefully, we can come up next week with tailored-fit guidelines for Davao City for contact sports.)
Covid-19 Task Force Spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser said in a separate interview on Friday, November 19, that there should be guidelines in the conduct of contact sports since it can be considered a “high risk” event as wearing of face shields and physical distancing will not be observed.
“Kasi (Because) when we do contact sports, we cannot wear a face shield, it can cause problems labi na kung magkapisikalay (especially when things get physical),” Schlosser said.
She said the guidelines are still under deliberation.
Davao City is under Alert Level 2 until November 30.
