DAVAO CITY — The Davao City Task Force COVID-19 prohibited holding basketball tournaments and other contact sports competitions until Dec. 15, 2021.
The task force's Resolution No. 50 Series of 2021 or the "A Resolution Adopting the Guidelines on the Conduct of Contact and Non-Contact Sports Activities in Davao City" allows contact sports activities only for exercise purposes. The resolution was signed last Dec. 3 by Task Force chairperson Mayor Sara Duterte.
"(N)o tournaments, no liga, no contest. It will just be for exercise and recreation," said the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor's Office (SDD-CMO) officer-in-charge Mikey Aportadera in a statement on Thursday (Dec. 9).
"Technically, ang pagsabot sa uban, contact sports are allowed katong sa level 2. Pero discretion sa LGU kung i-allow (Technically, others thought that all contact sports are allowed under level 2. But it is the discretion of the LGU to allow it or not)," he added.
The resolution cited the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) guidelines on implementing Alert Level Systems for COVID-19 Response as of Nov. 18, 2021, which provides that the conduct of sports activities may be allowed under Alert Level 2. However, the conduct of the sports activities shall be subject to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) sector-specific protocols.
The resolution also cited DTI Memorandum Circular No. 21-41, which provides the observation of the minimum public health standards (MPHS) and protocols for fitness studios, gyms, and venues for non-contact exercise and sports.
Based on the DTI memo, the indoor venue for all contact sports allows 50 percent capacity and 70 percent capacity for outdoor venues.
The venues, it said, "must cater only to fully-vaccinated individuals and those below 18 years old even if unvaccinated." Meanwhile, the workers and employees of the venues are required to be fully vaccinated.
The Davao City Task Force COVID-19 Response Cluster also recommended that contact sports such as basketball, football, volleyball, and frisbee are to be played "in open field areas and reputable basketball courts registered with the Business Bureau; including those in subdivisions."
The additional guidelines include the prohibition of holding street games in the barangays.
It said barangay games could be played in the barangay-owned or managed covered courts only and that games are strictly by appointment or reservations.
The guidelines also include a "no vaccination, no play policy" and the observance of safe distancing inside the court during games. Players are also required to wear face masks when not playing.