PSL gets DOH approval, resumes training after MECQ

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Superliga will be allowed to return to training soon once the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in National Capital Region (NCR) and its nearby provinces is lifted.

NCR, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal have been placed back to MECQ due to the surge of coronavirus cases in the country beginning Aug. 4 until tentatively on Aug. 18.

“I am pleased to inform you that the health and safety protocols that we submitted to the Department of Health had been approved with some recommendations,” said PSL chair Popoy Juico in a statement.

“This is really a big development as we are the first volleyball league to be allowed to return to training. We assured the government that we will do everything to follow the protocols and make sure that training and conditioning sessions would be safe and healthy for everyone.”

The PSL, which is a commercial league, is not covered by the joint administrative order (JAO) signed by the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Games and Amusements Board (GAB) unlike professional leagues like the PBA.

But to ensure that the health of the players and staff remains the top priority, the DOH added that necessary recommendations on the approved safety guidelines submitted by the PSL.

In a letter by the DOH, PSL teams are permitted to do non-contact workouts under general community quarantine (GCQ) but only with only five players and a skeletal workforce of up to 10 individuals.

According to Juico, swab testing is not mandatory but instead will be done in accordance with the discretion of the teams.

Medical liasons will also be appointed to monitor the players and coaches and guarantee that the protocols are being strictly followed.

Juico hopes to again seek the approval of DOH for its return to play after its 2020 Grand Prix got canceled last March 23 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As of posting time, the Philippines now has 112,593 COVID-19 cases after the Department of Health reported additional 6,352 Tuesday.