Sports center users not required to wear both mask and shield

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) manager Jundel Bontuyan has clarified that those wanting to go to the sports center for a jog or walk will not be necessarily required to wear both facemask and face shield.

Bontuyan said joggers or walkers can either wear a facemask or face shield, depending on which they feel most comfortable wearing.

“Either sa duha, asa ka mopili ana. Mas maayo og naa gyud na ang duha, pero og asa ka kumportable, naa ra na nimo,” said Bontuyan.

As an example, he said, if a person sees that only a few are inside the oval and there is proper social distancing, the person may remove his face mask or face shield if he is comfortable to do so.

But if he is taking a break from a jog or walk, it is better for him to wear the protective gear, Bontuyan added.

“Kung nipahuway pa ka sa daplin or diri sa kilid-kilid or any area sa sports center, mas maayo nga mag-mask gyud... Dili man na para sa amoa lang, para man na pud sa mga kaigsuonan nato nga moari diri, nga safe sila,” said Bontuyan.

The public can now go to the CCSC for a jog or walk as it was officially reopened yesterday, May 3, 2021.

Currently, the activities allowed at the sports center are only limited to jogging or walking.

“So far, mao ra gyud na ang gi-allow nato para dili modaghan ang tawo kaayo kay istrikto man nato nga gipatuman gyud nga dili lang maghuot ang tawo sa sulod,” Bontuyan said.

Bontuyan said only 200 individuals are allowed inside the oval.

“Og naay moabot, beyond sa 200, amo silang palingkuron sa grandstand para safe rapud gihapon sila, at the same time social distancing kay dako-dako man ang atong grandstand,” he said.

Bontuyan said that on the first day of the reopening, not many people came to jog or walk at the CCSC.

“So far, gamay-gamay pa gyud ang tawo nga ni-jog. Siguro nahadlok pa sila or ang uban wala pa kahibawo gyud,” he said.

The sports center is open from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

As a safety measure, the oval is disinfected daily after its closing.

Bontuyan also said that there is no increase on the entrance fee. It is still at P15 in the morning and at P20 in the afternoon.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the activities at the CCSC included Zumba, boxing, belly dancing, dancesport, swimming, badminton, and volleyball, among others.

Since these are contact sports, Bontuyan said, these will not yet be allowed inside to avoid COVID-19 transmission.

As for the Zumba, it was not allowed since most of those who join are 60 years old and above, thus prone to the virus.

Bontuyan said there is a need to reopen CCSC so that they could generate income for the maintenance of its facilities.

He added the reopening is also for the gradual return of their employees who were not able to work at the sports center for more than a year due to the pandemic. — JMD (FREEMAN)