In view of the current situation on the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Resolution No. 10 of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) on the recommendations for the management of the virus, and Proclamation No. 922 declaring a “state of public health emergency throughout the Philippines,” the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) advises its Member Associations to:
- Help contain the spread of the virus in their respective communities.
- Prioritize the safety and well-being of all football stakeholders, most especially grassroots and youth players, by following guidelines issued by health authorities such as:
- Avoiding close contact with people from high risk areas or displaying flu-like symptoms or suffering from acute respiratory diseases;
- Maintaining absolute hygiene: washing hands frequently and avoid touching parts of your face;
- Covering mouth and coughing away from other persons. Throw away any used tissues in proper trash bins;
- Avoiding unprotected contact with animals;
- Avoiding visits to crowded places (e.g. markets, shopping malls, etc.). Stay indoors as much as possible;
- Avoid eating uncooked food;
- People showing signs of acute respiratory diseases should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
For more information, the public may visit World Health Organization (WHO) website via the following link:
https://who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
- Evaluate the holding of football events involving large number of attendees. PFF Member Associations are recommended to postpone, for the meantime, scheduled football activities that will involve a large number of players or projected crowds, especially those involving young players. In case of postponement is no longer feasible, PFF Member Associations or event organizer should follow precautionary measures, such as:
- Hold the event in a “closed stadium” (without spectators) basis;
- Administer thermal scanning of all participants; and
- Make available sufficient amount of alcohol and hand sanitizers for participants and staff.
PFF exhorts everyone to be always mindful of the risks, and to stay healthy and safe during these times.
