The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has reiterated its directive to all of its Member Associations nationwide to comply with the guidelines or restrictions provided for by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) “Omnibus Guidelines in the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines”, amended on 11 February 2021.
Since football is a contact sport, PFF reminds its members that no football/futsal/beach soccer training sessions, try-outs, or matches at any age-group category at the amateur level may be organised in any area under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) or Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).
Section 4 (12) of the IATF Omnibus Guidelines prohibits the conduct of mass gatherings, including sporting events, and non other non-essential work gatherings in areas under GCQ, while Section 5 (4) allows with restrictions the conduct of indoor and outdoor non-contact sports in areas under MGCQ.The enumerated non-contact physical enhancing activities allowed under MGCQ include walking, jogging, running, biking, golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, equestrian, range shooting, and skateboarding provided that public health and safety protocols are observed.
PFF also informed its Member Associations that the Department of Health (DOH) issued Memorandum Circular No. 2021-0011 which allows the conduct of sporting events and other physical activities in low-risk areas (only for those sporting activities not under the Games and Amusements Board [GAB] or Philippine Sports Commission [PSC]) in a “bubble set up” and such will require a National Government Agency (NGA) sponsoring the conduct of the activity.
Meantime, PFF exhorts everyone to continue to observe the health and safety protocols, to stay safe and healthy, and follow the government guidelines to help minimise the spread of COVID-19 in the communities.”