IATF allows cockpits to operate, traditional cockfighting to resume under Alert Level 2

MANILA, Philippines — The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases permitted the operation of cockpits and the resumption of traditional cockfighting under Alert Level 2, but subject to the discretion of the local government units (LGUs).

“Nagkaroon din ng desisyon ang IATF kung saan pinapayagan ang operasyon ng sabungan at tradisyonal na sabong na nasa ilalim ng Alert Level 2 kung walang pagtutol dito ang mga LGUs o lokal na pamahalaan kung gaganapin ang sabong,” he announced during the Palace press briefing.

(The IATF decided to allow the operation of cockpits and traditional cockfighting under Alert Level 2 if the LGUs, where the operations will be conducted, have no objection.)

The IATF has set specific protocols for operators to ensure the safety of those who will go to cockpits:

• Maximum of 50-percent venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals
• On-site workers/employees of these establishments must be fully COVID-19 immunized
• Cashless betting and use of technology-based platforms
• Minimum public health standards and technology-based betting shall be strictly enforced by the LGU where traditional cockfighting will be conducted, and monitored by the Department of the Interior and Local Government

Nograles called on the LGUs to shut down cockpits if operators failed to comply with the health protocols.

“We enjoin LGUs that will allow the resumption of cockfighting operations to strictly, strictly enforce and implement protocols and to shut down operators that fail to adhere to minimum health standards,” he appealed.

Currently, Alert Level 2 is raised over the entire country. The IATF extended the imposition of the status until the end of the year.

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JPV