Abalayan: Sara's brilliant move

Abalayan: Sara's brilliant move

IF FOR anything, the City Government of Davao is doing every necessary measure to mitigate the spread of the coronaviruse disease (Covid-19) as positive cases continue to rise while contact tracing remains a challenge.

I am not certain if Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio plays chess, but the recent executive orders she issued showed her brilliant moves so far (just like in the mental sport) although some were somehow pessimistic due to the domino effect these directives will have on their lives, livelihood, and lifestyle.

We can be rest assured though that some of her issued orders also have basis from the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

EO 57, also known as "An Order Regulating Mass Gatherings And Prohibiting Non-Essential Travel Within Davao City And For Other Purposes Until December 31, 2020," also had provisions for sports and fitness-related activities and gatherings.

Section 12 states that non-contact sports shall only be allowed as a form of exercise but it should only be limited to two hours daily and sharing of equipment is not allowed.

Section 13 prohibits all contact sports, including darts and billiards while Section 14 allows non-professional and professional athletes to train for all kinds of sports without time limit provided that they do so individually. Face to face training is prohibited.

Student athletes, however, are subject to Sections 15 and 16 that give provisions for their monitoring and inspection by the Department of Education, private schools, and higher educational institutions (HEIs) with the help of the barangay tanods to ensure their compliance to be in their respective residences during class hours from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This is a very welcome development, taking into account everybody's safety including that of the athletes. Our health, after all, is a premium priority.

The policy of banning all contact sports for the time being, however, might take a toll on the athletes but they are left with no choice but to comply. Being athletes do not make them immune to the dreaded virus. Extra caution is what we all need to help flatten the curve.

It's just as well though that more contact sports now have brought their competitions online - poomsae for taekwondo, kata for karatedo, and muay thai. Virtual runs and virtual chess meets have also become popular.

That just shows how sports can adapt to anything!

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