Over the holidays, COVID-19 cases surged in the country where 1,623 cases were recorded on Dec. 30 and 2,961 for Dec. 31.

In consideration that the cases will continue to rise, Acting Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles announced on Friday after the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Emergence of Infectious Diseases placed NCR on alert Level 3 until at least January 15.

The said development means that bubble training will not be allowed in the city since the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) only permits the practices to be held for places under Alert Levels 1 and 2.

This might cause the leagues, notably the UAAP and the NCAA, to postpone their scheduled March kick-off dates.

Regardless, as agreed in the CHED-approved health recommendations, vaccinated college athletes and teams can only engage in training sessions.