PHILIPPINE Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William Ramirez reminded athletes and national sports association (NSA) officials to be vigilant about their health and safety as Covid-19 infections continue to surge.
“Never put your guard down when it comes to Covid-19,” Ramirez said on Friday.
At least 74 personnel and four athletes tested positive for the virus this week, prompting the PSC to lock down its facilities at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila and PhilSports Complex in Pasig City for 10 days.
“We sent all athletes home even before the imposition of the first lockdown last year,” said Ramirez, adding the PSC facilities remain as “We Heal As One Centers.”
The PSC, Ramirez said, has since assisted athletes, coaches and NSAs in getting their RT-PCR tests when requested or required for their training or competition.
Ramirez askes all NSAs to be more cautious and to actively remind their athletes to follow basic protocols.
“In this case, it is better to be safe than sorry,” he said.
Some athletes are training in venues picked by their respective NSAs outside of PSC facilities.
Manuel Bitog, the PSC’s Assistance and Coordination Division Chief and head of the PSC Emergency Response Team, was designated to head the agency’s Risk Management Team.
PSC Executive Director Atty. Guillermo Iroy Jr. has given instructions to implement stricter protocols and roll out a QR code-based monitoring system within the agency to aid interaction tracing.