The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) and the Department of Health (DOH) issued on Feb. 10 guidelines on the gradual reopening of campuses of higher education institutions (HEIs) for limited face-to-face classes amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
What does the document say about student-athlete training?
‘Bubble training’
According to the document, HEIs authorized to reopen their campuses for limited in-person classes would have to await requirements for the establishment of a training “bubble” to be listed in a separate joint document by the CHEd and DOH.
However, it said that HEIs should “ensure” that the training bubble remains “intact.”
Student-athletes, coaches and staff inside the bubble would not be allowed to have physical interaction and share spaces, facilities or areas with individuals outside the bubble.
The UAAP has yet to come up with a restart date. The league canceled its 83rd season, which would have spanned from September 2020 until the end of the academic year, citing the health and safety of student-athletes amid the pandemic.
UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag earlier floated the possibility of opening the new season in a “bubble” setup in April.
Classes for student-athletes
HEIs were also tasked to implement flexible learning modes for courses being taken by student-athletes, who are not allowed to participate in face-to-face classes without CHEd’s go-signal.
The city government of Manila recently allowed UST to conduct limited face-to-face classes for select medical programs.UST has yet to secure approval from the CHEd and the IATF for the conduct of such classes. Nina Angela Mikaela Cruz
