ATHLETES bound for Tokyo Olympics and Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) were allowed to commence with their bubble-type training, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced Friday, May 21, 2021.

He stressed, however, that the training is subject to the applicable guidelines set by the Philippine Sports Commission, Games and Amusement Board and Department of Health.

“So pwede na kayong magsimula sa inyong training...Bring home the gold sa Tokyo,” Roque told the athletes.

With this, Roque said the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF)-Technical Working Group has recommended to the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (iNitag) the prioritization for Covid-19 vaccination of athletes, coaches, delegates and officials bound for Tokyo Olympics and the Southeast Asian Games.

He also said Friday that the IATF, under its Resolution 116, has recommended that frontline employees of the business process outsourcing industry and the Commission on Elections must be included in the Priority Group A4.

Priority Group A4 generally refers to frontline personnel in essential sectors, including uniformed personnel.

Meanwhile, liquefied petroleum gas dealers, retailers and attendants now form part of the approved Priority Group A4.2 for vaccine deployment under the “retail trade operators and frontliners.”

The IATf also allowed the Philippine Swimming Incorporated to host the 2021 Swimming National Selection Meet under a bubble-type format.

The event will be held at the New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac.

“So lahat ng mga [participants] ng National Selection Meet ay magiging authorized persons outside residence (Apor) at papayagan ng inter-zonal travel,” Roque said. (Laureen Mondoñedo-Ynot)