IATF allows the training of student-athletes under GCQ, MGCQ

Malacañang announced that preparatory training of student-athletes is now allowed by the Inter-Institutional Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ.

Based on IATF Resolution No. 68, the training must follow health guidelines to prevent COVID-19 infection among its participants.

“Student-athletes of university athletic associations as defined in the Law of the Republic No. 10676 or the Law of Protection of Students-Athletes will be allowed to resume their preparatory training in areas under General Quarantine of the Community and General Quarantine of the Modified Community, subject to the guidelines that may be issued by the Higher Education Commission (CHED), ”said the aforementioned resolution signed on September 3.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque also confirmed it in a virtual press.

“For UAAP fans, our teams will practice (for Philippine University Athletic Association fans, our teams will now start their practice),” he said.

Except for the city of Iligan, which is under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ), the entire country is under the GCQ and MGCQ through September 30.

CHED, the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) have asked college team officials to keep student-athletes safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The call from these bodies came after the alleged quarantine violations that involved the staging of training “bubbles” by two collegiate teams.

The IATF approved the PSC and GAB recommendation in July to allow training sessions for professional basketball, volleyball and soccer teams. However, spectators are not allowed.