THE Davao City Covid-19 Task Force has now given a green light for the resumption of contact sports, but only for fully vaccinated players in a limited number of games.
Davao City Sports Division Chief Mikey Aportadera said in a radio interview on Tuesday, November 30, that the Task Force, during a meeting Monday, November 29, already agreed to it, but the copy of the resolution is still waiting to be signed and issued, along with the guidelines to ensure that the sports activities or events will not become a source of coronavirus infection.
"It was already agreed na pwede na ta mag-resume sa atoang contact sport but very limited ang atoang (that the contact sports can resume but it will have a very limited) movement in terms of sa unsaon pagbuhat og dula (how the game will be conducted)," Aportadera said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.
The guidelines will be issued at the City Government of Davao social media accounts once it is ready for publication.
He said his office, for now, only crafted the guidelines for basketball, football (soccer), volleyball, and ultimate frisbee. These games, however, are only intended for recreational activities and exercise purposes. Major and pocket tournaments are prohibited for the meantime.
The official said the four sports, aside from being a popular game, can be played outdoors, which is less risky from the Covid-19 transmission.
Aportadera said each sport has its own set of guidelines, but in general, venue or court management must ensure that all players must be fully vaccinated by requiring them to present their vaccination cards and SafeDavao QR (DQR) code. All players must also secure a reservation prior to their game.
Only players will be allowed in the playing vicinity. Spectators or audiences are strictly prohibited.
Other health protocols such as the mandatory wearing of masks, footbath, and temperature checking upon entry must be in place.
Wearing of face masks during the game proper will be voluntary, provided that they must be worn after the game. Distancing in the venue bleachers will also be mandatory.
“Amoang gina-make sure lang that everybody is safe mudula. So vaccinated gyud dapat gihapon (We made sure that every player is safe. Thus, they need to be vaccinated),” Aportadera said.
In the case of basketball, he said his office, in coordination with the Vice Mayor’s Office, is set to have a meeting with all barangay captains in the city to discuss how the barangays can operate the basketball courts under their supervision.
“The barangays will be mandated na bantayan ang mga basketball courts nila na identified asa pwede madula (to monitor the basketball courts that they have identified to allow people to play),” he said.
Basketball games outside the designated courts will not be allowed.
“Bawal usa mudula sa mga ring na ibutang sa punuan (Playing in improvised basketball rings is prohibited for now),” Aportadera said. “This is prohibited for now since the implementation of health protocol will not be imposed since there is no means of checking the vaccination card, DQR, and the temperate check.”
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 resumption of contact sports is not immediate but is 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.
Aportadera added that they are setting this following the recent detection of the more infectious Omicron variant of Covid-19.