The government would allow golf courses in areas under the general community quarantine (GCQ) to resume their operations provided that safety protocols should be observed, said Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Friday.
Año said the Inter-agency Task Force is consolidating the guidelines for golf courses operation in GCQ areas.
“Ito naman ay ipo-formalize sa IATF pero unang-una may mga announcement na tayo na ginawa noon na under GCQ ay puwede na mag-operate ang mga golf courses. Kailangan lang ‘yung ating minimum health standards at talagang ang pinakamahirap diyan ‘yung paggamit ng locker,” Año said.
(This will be formalized in the IATF, but we have an early announcement that golf courses in areas under GCQ are allowed to operate. We simply need the minimum health standards, and the difficult part there was the use of locker.)
“‘Yung paggamit ng locker ay dapat ipagbawal muna sapagkat diyan nagkakasama ‘yung mga players, dapat may panuntunan ang golf courses diyan,” he added.
(The use of the locker should be banned first because it is where the players get together. Golf courses should have a protocol for that.)
Also read: GCQ frequently asked questions and answers
Seniors allowed to play in golf courses during GCQ
Año further disclosed that the national government would also allow senior golfers to play, provided that they do not pose any health risk.
He said senior golfers must fill-up a waiver specifying their health condition and that they know the risks.
Año said golfers must also proceed directly to the golf area if they intend to play.
“Papayagan natin ‘yung senior golfers. Wala naman sigurong maysakit na maggo-golf at ‘yung masama ang pakiramdam,” he said.
(We will allow senior golfers. Maybe no one would play golf if they are feeling sick.)
DILG earlier announced that senior citizens who are working and living alone in GCQ areas could go out starting May 1.
Año said in an interview over dzMM that are senior citizens who are still active and working. Some of them are executives and company managers so they could be given an exemption, said Año.
The GCQ guidelines, however, stated that individuals aged 60 years old and above are prohibited from leaving their homes to protect them from acquiring the virus.