DAVAO CITY—Local sports officials would be coming up with guidelines for contact sports as the city opened up more economic activities and flexibility in public activities and sports.
City Sports Division Mikey Aportadera told the Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Thursday that his office started consulting with health experts here on how to implement the new guidelines for contact sports to avoid turning sports activities or events into Covid-19 spreader.
He said the guidelines would be issued soon.
“We consulted if the venue can be in a controlled and regulated area. There are games that the government and the organizer can somehow partner to manage the event that cannot contribute to the rise of cases in Davao City,” Aportadera said.
The city government looked into contact sports activities as the next batch of activities to resume soon as the city was placed under the Alert Level 2, where several restrictions as curfew and people movement have been relaxed. Cases of Covid-19 infections have declined by more than half of what used to average more than 30 cases daily in the previous months.
The guidelines on the nationwide implementation of the Alert Level Systems for Covid-19 Response as of November 11 allows local government units to allow the holding of contact sports.
“This means that the contact sports opening is not automatic and still subject to the approval and discretion of the local government,” Aportadera said.
He emphasized on taking precautions in opening the areas for contact sports because it may result in adverse consequences.
“It is best to prioritize the safety of all before these sites are opened.
I understand how you missed playing basketball, volleyball or football but we cannot compromise the safety of everybody,” he said. “So I am asking for your understanding, and to wait for the guidelines because we are discussing about it thoroughly and hopefully, we can come up next week a tailored-fit guidelines for Davao City for contact sports.”