ORDINANCE ON RESUMPTION OF SPORTS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AMID PANDEMIC PASSED
By: Jiroh Joy D. Marbella, GPC–SP | Photos By: GPC–SP | Date: February 16, 2021
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of La Union unanimously approved on third and final reading the draft ordinance prescribing the Guidelines on the Conduct of Health-Enhancing Physical Activities and Sports during the CoViD-19 Pandemic on February 16, 2021.
Provincial Ordinance 280-2021 also known as an Ordinance Prescribing the Guidelines on the Conduct of Health-Enhancing Physical Activities and Sports during the CoViD-19 Pandemic is line with the Philippine Sports Commission-Games and Amusements Board Department of Health (DOH) Joint Administrative Order No. 2020-0001 and is in accordance with the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of the Community Quarantine in the Philippines released by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
In pursuit of increasing physical and mental resilience and to sustain the livelihood of professional athletes in the province, the SP passed the ordinance to fully implement the guidelines on the conduct of health-enhancing physical activities as well as income-generating professional sports activities during the CoViD-19 pandemic, provided that these remain aligned with the risk-based public health standards set by the DOH through AO No. 2020-0015.
While professional contact sports such as Basketball are allowed, recreational contact sports are still suspended until the availability of a vaccine and/or appropriate standard of care for COVID-19 cases is developed. Under the said guidelines, non-professional sporting events such as tournaments, competitive events, and athletic meets are not permitted.
Low Risk Areas such as the Province of La Union can conduct indoor or outdoor non-contact sports or activities for non-professional sports as long as establishments continue the practice of minimum public health standards such as, but not limited to, regular disinfection and sanitation of frequently touched surfaces.
Violators shall be charged with fines of P3,000.00 for the first infraction, P4, 000.00 on second infraction and P5,000.00 on third and subsequent infractions.
