MANILA -- Playing non-contact sports such as golf and cycling will be allowed in areas under modified enhanced and general community quarantine, a member of the country's coronavirus task force said Wednesday.

In a Malacañang press briefing, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said they will authorize sports such as cycling and golf, citing that these sports may be compliant with physical distancing protocols.

"Ang authorized lang ngayon ay non-contact sports gaya ng biking, tennis siguro at golf kasi pwede na po 'yan. They can distance themselves from each other," Lorenzana said.

(What's authorized now is non-contact sports like biking, maybe tennis, and golf because players can distance themselves from each other.)

For now, Lorenzana said contact sports will not be allowed but may be permitted as lockdown protocols loosen over time. Lorenzana said they have yet to issue guidance in allowing such sports to go through.

"Iyong kasing boxing at wrestling ay hindi. Contact sports 'yan nagkakalapitan at nagkakayakapan 'yang mga iyan. So, wala pa tayong guidelines diyan dahil hindi pa iyan authorized."

(These contact sports involved close physical contact, to the point where they also hug each other. We do not have guidelines there because that is not authorized yet.)

Government initially barred holding non-contact sports under the general community quarantine.

"High risk" areas such as Metro Manila, Cebu City, and Laguna will be placed under modified general community quarantine starting May 16, aimed at slowly opening the economy by allowing select businesses in certain industries while keeping stringent quarantine protocols.

Lockdowns in other areas are expected to downgrade to general community quarantine, while other areas are expected to have their lockdowns lifted altogether while being asked to observe necessary health measures to avoid a second wave of the coronavirus infection.

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