THE INTER-AGENCY Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases has allowed the training of student-athletes in general community quarantine and modified general community quarantine areas in the country.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said yesterday that the IATF has already approved the training of collegiate athletes in GCQ and MGCQ areas.

“Inaprubahan din po ng IATF na sa mga lugar na nasa ilalim ng general community quarantine at modified general community quarantine ay pinapayagan na po ang training ng mga student-athletes ng collegiate athletic associations,” Roque said in an online briefing.

The Commission on Higher Education will reportedly issue the guidelines for the resumption of training activities.

In a separate press briefing, the CHED announced they will form a technical working group with the Philippine Sports Commission, Department of Health and representatives from various collegiate athletic associations to craft the guidelines which would be discussed in a three-week timeline.

CHED Chairman Prospero ‘Popoy’ De Vera said the TWG’s guidelines would cascade to other leagues in the country and will cover all sports.

The Commission clarified, however, that allowing the student-athletes to train does not mean it would lead to face-to-face classes.

Earlier, the IATF has allowed the training of professional basketball and football teams amid the current Covid19 pandemic.

All areas in the country remain under GCQ and MGCQ with the exception of Iligan City, which is under a modified enhanced community quarantine.