Metro Manila mayors have agreed to allow basketball games in the National Capital Region (NCR) for fully vaccinated individuals.
However, the recommendation of NCR mayors on contact sports has yet to be approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
“Since players are susceptible to physical proximity with one another while spectators are inclined to cheer or chant in a crowd, having them fully vaccinated will reduce risk of transmission,” Abalos said.
The latest move is in a bid to “incentivize” persons to get vaccinated but remains subject to minimum public health standards, venue capacity limitations, vaccination status, and contact tracing.
Abalos said only players have the option whether or not to wear face masks when in-game, while symptomatic players and spectators will not be allowed to participate or watch.
Organizers and/or venue owners must apply for permits from local government units (LGU) and must provide “a written registry and health declaration of participants, spectators, and all other persons in the event” with their details for contact tracing.
“The concerned Barangay Officials and/or venue owner or operator thereof shall supervise and ensure observance of venue capacity limitations, vaccination requirements, and minimum public health standards,” the proposed guideline read. AG-bny, with a report from Patrick de Jesus
