JOINT ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER
No. 2020 – __
SUBJECT: Supplemental Guidelines to the Joint Administrative Order No.
2020 – 0001 “Guidelines on the Conduct of Health-Enhancing
Physical Activities and Sports during the COVID-19 Pandemic”
relative to the conduct of Athletic Bubble-type Training and
Competitions during the COVID-19 Pandemic
I. BACKGROUND
On July 27, 2020, The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Games and Amusements Board
(GAB), and the Department of Health (DOH) issued the Joint Administrative Order entitled,
“Guidelines on the Conduct of Health-enhancing Physical Activities and Sports during the
COVID-19 Pandemic”. The JAO provides guidance on the minimum public health standards
for the conduct of health-enhancing physical activities and sports in different risk severity
areas for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This Order is issued to provide further guidelines on the conduct of sports and other physical
activities under a bubble-type training modality.
II. DEFINITION OF TERMS
A. Athletic Bubble-type Training and Competitions – refer to conditions in which a
specific league, sports organization or promotion with competing sports teams or
athletes of team events are subjected to strict isolation from the general public for a
limited period of time for the purpose of holding a sporting activity without spectators
in attendance in a restricted-environment set up where there is constant vigilance
towards adherence to public health guidelines, conscientious conduct of participants,
and enforced standard controlled measures in place to mitigate the risk of possible
hazards to public health and safety.
B. COVID status – refers to the timeline or test-based definition of an individual’s
COVID-19 characteristics based on the definitions established by the DOH.
C. Environment – refers to an imaginary area of interaction, behaviors of individuals or
a series of interactions in a particular defined location based on their known COVID
status.
- Closed environment – refers to interaction between individuals with similar
COVID status (i.e. COVID negative individuals or group of individuals) who
are all in a defined location
a. Closed Circuit – “semi-bubble” (interaction between individuals with
similar COVID status (i.e. COVID negative individuals or group of
1
individuals) who are all in a defined location and travel only to league
designated venues which are maintained COVID free and are
disallowed from travelling to any other location
b. No Circuit – “full bubble” (i.e.: ALL individuals have a known
COVID negative status including ancillary staff, workers and are
billeted in the same venue/s as the players/ coaches with training and
playing venues located in the same location or complex without the
need to travel to an open environment ;
- Open Environment – refers to interaction between individuals wherein ones
COVID negative status is known while the other individuals’ status is unknown
or possibly non-negative
a. Open Circuit – any league wherein individuals with unknown
COVID status can interact with those with known COVID negative
status and then travel to venues with unknown integrity when it comes
to a COVID free status
b. Closed Circuit- “semi bubble” (i.e.- any league wherein individuals
with unknown COVID status can interact with those with known
COVID negative status but travel ONLY to venues defined by or
restricted to by the league (i.e. Staying in a league designated hotel that
is otherwise open to the public / wherein ancillary staff are not part of
the bubble) but travel ONLY to venues defined by the league and are
disallowed from travelling to any other location.
D. Individuals – refers to the live body, can be subclassified based on their role and or
work description (i.e. players, coaches, officials, referees, ancillary, media, support ,
hotel workforce, venue workforce).
E. Interaction – refers to the time-based contact between two individuals.
F. Location boundaries – refers to the imaginary sphere defining an area of potential
interaction.
G. Movement – refers to actual travel of an individual or group of individuals between
venues (i.e. as in a circuit) and can be classified as Closed or Open based on the known
COVID negative status or integrity of a particular location.
- Closed Circuit- movement across venues wherein individuals located at that
venue have an established COVID free status. - Open Circuit- movement across venues wherein individuals transfer from a
venue with an established COVID free status to a venue with unknown or
possibly non-negative COVID status.
H. Venue – refers to an actual physical space occupied by individuals or groups of
individuals with a potential for interaction.
- Subtypes
a. Billeting / Home – physical location where individuals will retreat prior
to or after training or competition
b. Training Venue – physical location where individuals can converge or
gather for sports related or physical activities related to sports
c. Competition Venue- physical location where individuals can converge
or gather for purposes of contesting play
III. SCOPE OF APPLICATION
This Order shall apply to the professional and non-professional sports leagues and
associations under the jurisdiction of GAB and PSC, respectively.
IV. IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES
A. Depending on the type of environment, the level of interaction among individuals and
its corresponding risks for exposure shall identify the risk associated with the conduct
of training and sports competitions.
- Sports leagues and associations shall conduct a formal risk assessment on the
sport-related event to tailor fit their desired training and competition models
based on their capabilities, finances, resources and other factors related to the
nature of the sport and identify the allowable threshold for the conduct of the
activity (See Annex A for the Risk Assessment) - Based on the risk assessment found in Annex A, only Level A (Closed
Environment, No Travel) and Level B (Closed Environment, Closed Circuit
Travel) are allowed to resume in areas placed under moderate-risk and
low-risk community quarantine classifications.
B. Non-contact and contact sports shall be permitted under a bubble-type training
modality, provided that such training is compliant with the conditions of this order, to
wit:
- The bubble training shall be conducted for at least 15 days;
- The maximum number of individuals allowed to participate in the athletic full
bubble-type training and competition shall be based on the risk assessment
conducted by the sports league or association. However, only a maximum of
50 athletes and an absolute total of 100 individuals (including coaches and
personnel) shall be allowed in a specific setting at any given time (See Annex
B); - No live audience shall be permitted regardless of risk severity, until a
COVID-19 vaccine or appropriate standard of care is developed; - Athletes and personnel for the bubble training shall register with the respective
governing agency at least 10-14 days prior to the start of the activity; - International athletes and personnel who are participating in the bubble shall
comply with the requirements and guidelines of the IATF and the Department
of Foreign Affairs on travel into and out of the country; - Athletes and personnel shall have no COVID-19 symptoms and relevant travel
history or exposure for the past 14 days and shall have been cleared by a
medical professional prior to the date of bubble training;
a. In the event that the sports league/association decides to conduct
COVID-19 testing, testing protocols shall follow the standards
established by the DOH. - Athletes and personnel shall have an in-house doctor/s to provide services
such as but not limited to injury assessment and treatment, physical therapy,
among others. - Sports leagues and associations shall designate a temporary isolation facility
within the premises of the bubble training for individuals needing further
assessment due to the presence of flu-like symptoms, exposure to a suspect or
probable COVID-19 case, or awaiting transport to the appropriate health
facility.
- Athletes and personnel shall be allowed to exit the bubble training but shall
only be allowed to reenter after the completion of a 14-day quarantine and
other requirements set by the governing agency; - The designated Health and Safety Officer shall continuously monitor the
health status of all individuals involved in the bubble training including
coaches and other personnel during and after the activity; and,
a. The Health and Safety Officer shall submit health reports on all
individuals involved in the bubble weekly following the prescribed
format issued by the governing agency. - Symptomatic individuals shall be reported immediately to their respective
Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT) in compliance with
the proper quarantine, monitoring, and reporting protocols including referral
to the appropriate facility. In the event that an individual is confirmed to be
COVID-19 positive, the conduct of the athletic full bubble-type training and
competition shall be suspended. - All waste including bio waste hazards and disposable PPE shall be safely
disposed of. Individuals handling waste products shall be provided with the
appropriate PPE.
C. All sports leagues and associations shall comply with the approval procedures for
bubble training of non-professional and professional sports and activities during the
COVID-19 pandemic.
- Professional Athletes, Sports or Competitions as defined by the PSC-GAB
Joint Resolution No. 2020-01 (See Annex C) shall adhere to the guidelines
and requirements established by the Games and Amusements Board (See
Annex D)
a. Pursuant to the Executive Order no. 392, series of 1950 and
Presidential Decree No. 871, GAB shall exercise supervision and
regulation over the operation and conduct of professional sports and
other activities arising out of professional sports. As such, GAB shall
implement and enforce laws , rules and regulations governing
professional sports and activities of professional athletes, game
officials, and officiating sports personnel. GAB shall also have the
power to initiate, undertake, hear and decide any investigation for any
violation of its rules and regulations concerning professional sports and
games and, in connection therewith, may issue subpoena and subpoena
duces tecum. - Only members of the National Teams bound for Olympics and Paralympics,
Olympic and Paralympic Qualifiers as recognized by the Philippine Sports
Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, and Philippine Paralympic
Committee shall be allowed to return to training.
a. The PSC, in close coordination with the Philippine Olympic
Committee (POC) through the Chef-de-Mission, Philippine Paralympic
Committee (PPC), and the participating National Sports Associations
(NSAs), shall determine the actual athletes, coaches and support staff
who shall resume training for the Olympic qualifiers and Olympics.
b. The members of national teams undergoing preparation for Olympic
and Paralympic qualifying and qualifiers shall adhere to all the
conditions of this Order. The PSC, POC, PPC, Olympic
Chef-de-Mission, and their NSA shall monitor the compliance with the
conditions in the implementing guidelines.
- Sports leagues and associations that will conduct bubble training in areas with
post community quarantine status which has less restrictions in place shall
conduct a risk assessment following the World Health Organization’s Mass
Gathering Sports Risk Assessment Tools (Annex E). For this purpose, the
following factors shall be considered in the implementation of the appropriate
mitigation measures:
a. Local transmission of COVID-19: Clustering of Cases, Community
Quarantine Classification, Community Transmission
b. The number of participants and their individual risk profiles:
Participating athletes and personnel at higher risk of severe COVID-19
Diseases (e.g. age or with comorbidities)
c. Location: One or multiple venues; Indoors or outdoors
d. Nature of activity: Contact or Non-Contact Sports
e. Other factors that may be deemed necessary - Upon review of the submitted requirements and/or compliance with the
established guidelines, the PSC and GAB shall issue a certification to
officially approve the resumption and/or conduct of training, event, and other
related activities. The respective governing agency shall reserve the right to
review, revoke, or reissue the form/approval of any changes to the submitted
guidelines, policies and violations to the approved conditions. - For the bubble exit protocols and return to the general population, bubble
participants shall comply with the relevant guidelines of the IATF Omnibus
Guidelines, the DOH-GAB-PSC JAO 2020-0001, DOH Memorandum
2020-0439, and LGU requirements as part of their exit clearance and return to
community:
a. Undertaking of continued post- competition self-quarantine and
monitoring;
b. Medical certificate for travel/return to LGU certified by the league
physician or any authorized government physician;
c. Testing or quarantine protocols based on DOH guidelines and the
receiving LGU; and,
d. Coordination with LGU where they are returning and compliance with
its requirements.
IV. REPEALING CLAUSE
Other related issuances not consistent with the provisions of this Order are hereby
revised, modified, or rescinded accordingly. Nothing in this Order shall be construed
as a limitation or modification of existing laws, rules and regulations.
V. PENALTIES
Penalties as administrative fines shall be imposed through DOLE Department Order
No. 198 S. 2018 for any willful failure to comply with this Joint Administrative
Order. Further, any person or entity found to have violated the provisions in this
Order shall be subject to penalties and other legal actions in accordance with, but not
limited to, existing laws and orders for the COVID-19 response, Republic Act No.
11332 – Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public
Health Concern Act, Republic Act No. 11058 – Strengthening Compliance with
Occupational Safety and Health Standards Act, and other applicable laws, guidelines,
and issuances within the jurisdiction of GAB and PSC.
VI. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE
Should any provision of this Order or any part thereof be declared invalid, the other
provisions, insofar as they are separable from the invalid ones, shall remain in full
force and effect.
VII. EFFECTIVITY
This Order shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in a
newspaper of general circulation and upon filing with the University of the
Philippines Law Center (UPLC) / UP – Office of the National Administrative Register
(ONAR) of three (3) certified copies of this Order.
ABRAHAM KAHLIL B. MITRA WILLIAM I. RAMIREZ
Chairman Chairman
Games and Amusements Board Philippine Sports Commission
FRANCISCO T. DUQUE III, MD, MSc
Secretary
Department of Health
Annex A. Risk Assessment Based on the Type of Environment
LEVEL of exposure risk for sport Level Descriptor
A CLOSED ENVIRONMENT WITH NO TRAVEL
B CLOSED ENVIRONMENT, CLOSED CIRCUIT TRAVEL
C OPEN ENVIRONMENT ; CLOSED CIRCUIT TRAVEL
D OPEN ENVIRONMENT, OPEN CIRCUIT , NO
RESTRICTIONS TO TRAVEL TO ANY VENUE
(SPECIALLY TO LOCATIONS OUTSIDE OF THOSE
DESIGNATED TO BE RESTRICTED BY THE LEAGUE)
Annex B.1 Allowable Threshold for National Teams bound for Olympics and Paralympics,
Olympic and Paralympic Qualifiers as recognized by the Philippine Sports Commission,
Philippine Olympic Committee, and Philippine Paralympic Committee
*subject to Minimum Public Health Standards
4Ps
FRAMEWORK
RISK SEVERITY RATING
High Risk Areas Moderate Risk Areas Low Risk
Areas
ECQ MECQ GCQ MGCQ,with
modifiers
MGCQ
Person/
Participants
Solo/ Individual Solo/ Individual Maximum 5
athletes per
sport/activity
Skeleton
workforce but
total number of
individuals
shall not exceed
10
Maximum 10
athletes per
sport/activity
Skeleton
workforce but
total number of
individuals
shall not exceed
25
Maximum 10
athletes per
sport/activity
Skeleton
workforce but
total number of
individuals
shall not exceed
50
For bubble training, the allowable threshold shall be
based on the risk assessment conducted by the sports
league/association. However, only a maximum of 50
athletes per sport/activity and an absolute total of
100 individuals including coaches and personnel are
allowed at any given time
Public/Private
Location
Private Space
only
Private Space
or Public Space
Private Space
or Public Space
Private Space
or Public Space
Private Space
or Public Space
Physical
Environment
Indoors Only Indoors or
Outdoors
Indoors or
Outdoors
Indoors or
Outdoors
Indoors or
Outdoors
Participation Non-Contact Sports and Activities
Only
Non-Contact Sports and Activities only except for
Bubble-type training
Annex B.2. Allowable Threshold for Professional Sports and Physical Activities per
Risk Severity Area
*subject to Minimum Public Health Standards
4Ps
FRAMEWORK
RISK SEVERITY RATING
High Risk Areas Moderate Risk Areas Low Risk
Areas
ECQ MECQ GCQ MGCQ,with
modifiers
MGCQ
Person/
Participants
Solo/ Individual Solo/ Individual Maximum 5
athletes per
sport/activity
Skeleton
workforce but
total number of
individuals shall
not exceed 10
Maximum 10
athletes per
sport/activity
Skeleton
workforce but
total number of
individuals shall
not exceed 25
Maximum 20
athletes per
sport/activity
Skeleton
workforce but
total number of
individuals shall
not exceed 50
For bubble training, the allowable threshold shall be
based on the risk assessment conducted by the sports
league/association. However, only a maximum of 50
athletes per sport/activity and an absolute total of 100
individuals including coaches and personnel are
allowed at any given time
Public/Private
Location
Private Space
only
Private Space or
Public Space
Private Space or
Public Space
Private Space or
Public Space
Private Space or
Public Space
Physical
Environment
Indoors Only Indoors or
Outdoors
Indoors or
Outdoors
Indoors or
Outdoors
Indoors or
Outdoors
Participation Non-Contact Sports and Activities
Only
Non-contact strength and
sport-specific training are allowed
except for bubble-type training
Professional Combat Sports fights
scheduled abroad involving Filipino
professional athletes are allowed
Contact Sports
including
combat sports
are allowed for
professional
sports provided
that the
minimum public
health standards
are met
Annex D. Clearance and Approval Process of Games and Amusements Board for
Professional Sports and Activities
Annex E. WHO Risk Assessment and Mitigation Checklist
The World Health Organization (WHO) published risk assessment tools for mass gatherings,
including an addendum specifically for sports-related mass gathering. This tool includes all
factors from the general WHO risk assessment and mitigation checklist for mass gatherings
that can be accessed through the WHO Website.
The following risk assessment and mitigation checklist should be used in conjunction with
the WHO Mass Gathering Sports Guidelines.
Risk assessment
Please answer Yes (1) or No (0) to the following questions to determine a risk assessment
score that incorporates factors specific to mass gathering sporting events
Additional Risk of COVID-19 to the mass gathering
sporting event
Yes (1)/No
(0)
Score
Will the event be held in an LGU that has documented
active local transmission of COVID-19 (high to moderate
community quarantine risk classification)?
Will the event be held in multiple venues/LGUs?
Will the event include international participants (athletes
and spectators) from countries that have documented active
local transmission of COVID-19 (community spread)?
Will the event include sports that are considered at higher
risk of spread for COVID-19 (e.g. contact sports)?
Will the event be held indoors?
Total COVID-19 Risk Score