Swab-testing not required in proposed collegiate training bubble guidelines

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

According to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), student-athletes who will enter the proposed bubble training in their respective schools will no longer undergo swab-testing or an antigen test.

During a press conference regarding the resumption of collegiate sports, CHED, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and the Games and Amusement Board (GAB), which serves as the technical working group, announced the development.

“No swab is required upon entry, as part of minimum public health standards,” DOH Head of Policy and Technology, Promotion and Communication Service Rodely Carza said.

Instead, the technical working group said that they will be encouraging the athletes to undergo a 14-day quarantine.

Under the guidelines, athletes who are below 18-years-old can engage in virtual training while those 18 to 21-years-old are required to have consent from their parent/guardian before attending their respective trainings.

Before schools can conduct their training, they should first submit a Collegiate Training Activities’ Certificate of Compliance and the complete list of the student-athletes, coaches, trainers, staff and the other people who will participate in the training.

“Schools that are intending to allow the training of their athletes should now follow the process required in the guidelines so that they can start their training.” Said CHED chairman Prospero de Vera.