The Commission of Higher Education (CHED) has given the go-signal for collegiate varsity teams to begin practices under strict health and safety protocols.
The following steps must be followed by the school.
LETTER OF INTENT WITH ATTACHED DOCUMENTS
1. Letter of Intent: The Higher Education Institution intends to resume collegiate training and has student-athletes who shall represent or intend to represent the school in an inter-school athletic program or competition.
2. A sworn statement from the HEI to adhere to the institutional, local and national (IATF, DOH and CHED) rules and regulations for the prevention and mitigation of COVID-19 cases.
3. Samples of health declaration forms to be provided every scheduled activity or event. Student-athletes, coaches, trainers, and all other participants who have no COVID-19 related symptoms and no relevant travel history or exposure within the last fourteen (14) days prior to the resumption of training shall be permitted to participate.
4. Proof of document that the said activity was appropriately coordinated with the Local Government Unit and accomplished all the necessary documentation and/or secured the necessary permits for the inter-zonal or intra-zonal movement of the participants concerned and the resumption of collegiate training in school premises
ON-SITE INSPECTION AND SUBMISSION OF REQUIREMENTS
HEIs’ SELF ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST
Before the resumption of the conduct of collegiate training, the HEI shall submit the Collegiate Training Activities’ Certificate of Compliance duly signed by its Athletics Director and approved by the HEI President to the CHED Central Office, attesting to the following facts: CHED Taskforce will schedule to conduct an on-site inspection.
A. ENGINEERING CONTROL
1. Inventory list of sports facilities and occupancy capacity following the physical distancing protocols and shall strictly observe the same during the conduct of collegiate training, attached herein as Annex “A”.
2. Appropriate student-athletes dormitory or housing facility for the duration of the training compliant with the IATF rules on capacity and social distancing protocols.
3. Provision for transportation, food, and drinks, and mental health services as may be necessary during the entire training period.
4. RT-PCR testing or 14-day isolation shall again be observed before the participant shall be allowed to resume his assigned task.
5. Study area and strong wifi connection in the training areas to ensure that classes of student-athletes shall be prioritized in scheduling their training. Once limited face-to-face classes resume, as authorized by the Commission, and there is a need for limited face-to-face classes of student-athletes in the stay-in training, the above-mentioned protocols shall be followed, specifically.
6. Provision for a screening area at the entry point main gate and facility entrance.
a. Establishment of a Screening or Triage area at different points-of-entry:
i. Health Declaration or Symptom Assessment
ii. Non- contact Temperature Check
iii. Isolation area near points-of-entry for symptomatic individuals
7. Provision of unidirectional/one-way movement through the facilities to be followed by the participants.
8. Provision of locker rooms for student-athletes, based on physical distancing protocols.
9. Signs within the training area of least two (2) meters of physical distancing in outdoor facilities or three (3) meters in enclosed and indoor facilities are observed, together with other preventive measures (e.g. placement of barriers between individuals, proper ventilation, etc.) are strictly observed.
10. Installation of visual cues or signages to communicate strategies to prevent infection transmission shall include: Physical distancing of at least one-meter distance
Cough and sneeze etiquette, Proper hand hygiene, and control:
i. Face, eyes, nose, and mouth shall not be touched
ii. Thorough handwashing with soap and water for 20- 30 seconds
iii. In the absence of soap and water, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer (≥70% alcohol) or isopropyl alcohol. Hand sanitizer is not a replacement for good hand hygiene.
iv. Proper use and disposal of PPE
11. Adequate number of equipment. Sharing of non-personal equipment are discouraged (e.g. sports equipment, toilet, shower room, locker) shall be permitted, provided these are routinely disinfected before and after every use. HOWEVER, equipment that are used orally (e.g. water gear used for snorkeling and scuba diving, and mouth guards), and equipment that have prolonged contact with the face (e.g., headgear or helmets and fencing masks) shall not be allowed to be shared or rented out.
12. Availability of RT-PCR testing area within the community or 14-day isolation area to be used before the participant shall be allowed to resume his assigned task. In case of re-entry for on-campus stay-in training,
B. HEALTH And HYGIENE PROTOCOLS
The HEI must provide an ample supply of personal hygiene kits for student-athletes and personnel during the entire Stay-in training and bus to make sure that regular monitoring of hygiene and health protocols are observed at all times.
1. Personal hygiene kits which shall contain the following: 70% alcohol or hand sanitizer, a travel-size packet of cleansing wipes/tissue paper or small hand towel, and travel-size hand soap, face shields, and mask.
2. Health monitoring logbook to monitor the status of student-athletes, officials, and personnel assisting who have COVID-19 symptoms, based on DOH’s recent issuances and definitions. If the participants develop COVID-19 symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, HEIs shall coordinate with the LGU and employ the necessary mechanism for transferring participants who test positive for COVID-19 to the appropriate facility.
3. Adequate number of hand washing or hand sanitizing stations at the entrance and exit points of the training grounds or premises.
4. Regular disinfection schedules before and after training following DOH Department Memorandum No. 2020-0157, otherwise known as, “Guidelines on Cleaning and Disinfection in Various Settings as an Infection Prevention and Control Measure Against COVID-19”.
C. STUDENT-ATHLETES & TRAINING PERSONNEL AND STAFF
1. List of the student-athletes who shall undergo collegiate training during this COVID-19 Pandemic. Indicate informations such as: Schedule of activities and sports events, that shall be undertaken by the student-athletes to be submitted the list at least seven (7) days prior to the start of the activity. Complete a list of rosters that shall include the names of student-athletes.
2. Parent’s or guardian’s consent of all student-athletes age eighteen (18) and above who shall participate in the training at least seven (7) days prior to the start of the activity.
3. List of complete names of personnel such as: coaches, trainers and all staff, including driver, kitchen staff, doctors, who shall participate/assist in the collegiate training as well as the task force on site to help coordinate an independent response against COVID-19. The task force shall include the following individuals: Athletics Director, Team Doctor for Physical and mental purposes, Student Health representative, Safety and Health Officer,Biosecurity Officer
4. Student-Athletes, Personnel, and staff Training ID’s. included in the roster list submitted in the Collegiate Training Activities’ Certificate of Compliance. ID’s duly signed by the Athletics Director and approved by the HEI President.
UAAP schools have already brought back to Manila or have booked the trips of their student-athletes from either the provinces or abroad.
The UAAP claims that it has already achieved 100-percent inoculation for its student-athletes.
On the other hand, the majority of the NCAA’s student-athletes have already received their first dose.
