No vaccine. No games.
This continues to apply to non-professional leagues and tournaments after the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) reiterated on this call as the government continues to fight the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
The appeal of Mitra is in line with the decision of the Joint Administrative Order (JAO), which GAB is a part of together with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Department of Health (DOH) that was formed by the government last year to supervise and guide various sports activities.
Since its formation, JAO has approved the resumption of sports events at the professional level, including the PBA, which returned last October in a bubble meet held in Clark, Pampanga.
“Non-professional sporting events such as tournaments, competitive events, and athletic meets shall not be permitted,” said in a statement dated Jan. 27, 2021 from the office Mitra.
“Meanwhile, professional sporting events may be allowed in low-risk areas, provided that such events are compliant to the minimum public health standards set by the DOH.”
Mitra, on Monday, said that while a vaccine will soon be available in the country, there is no guarantee that things will be safe, and no transmission of the virus would happen.
“It’s best to be cautious as vaccines are not even full proof,” said Mitra in a message to Manila Bulletin.
“We may be healthy but we can infect our housemates. One sports incident (transmission) will have an effect on all. Our students are not allowed by our parents and government to go to school much more, be allowed to play,” added Mitra in reference to student-athletes playing in collegiate leagues.
“Having a vaccine does not mean you can't be a carrier.”
The government did give the green-light on several amateur players, but these athletes belong to the national team – or the elite level – since they are preparing for either the different Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, or the Tokyo Olympics itself set this July 2021.
The PSC, under the leadership of Chairman Butch Ramirez, has started last month a bubble training for these elite athletes in Calamba, Laguna.
In the GAB statement, it said that since an effective vaccine has not been made available, the JAO ruling on the non-pro sports “shall remain in effect, until and unless amended or revoked” by the implementing body.