The 31st Southeast Asian Games slated from May 12 to 23 in Hanoi, Vietnam will impose health and safety protocols that are unique to the host country.
The organizers, according to Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, also announced during a virtual SEA Games Federation meeting on Friday afternoon that there will be 256 events for the men and 242 for the women for a total of 498 events in 40 sports.
But making this edition of the SEA Games that Vietnam is hosting for only the second time since 2003—with Hanoi as main hub anew—are its unique health and safety protocols against the pandemic.
The organizers, according to Tolentino, would only allow delegation officials to go from one distant area to another during the games.
“Athletes and coaches will be confined to their respective areas and hotels for the duration of their stay,” Tolentino said.
But—Tolentino added—the organizers would allow athletes and coaches to visit restaurants, bars, shopping centers and tourists spots only within their areas.
Interestingly, the organizers don’t include proofs of vaccination against COVID-19, said Tolentino who added that Vietnam has designated 3,000 volunteers to work the non-sports matters of the games.
“Countries can also change an athlete or athletes, who test positive of the virus before the games start, but not anymore when the competitions are ongoing,” Tolentino said. “Football is exempted from the rule because it allows teams to have extra players.”
Fans or spectators?
“The hosts said that would depend on the COVID situation in the area or cluster,” Tolentino said. “If the figures are high, fans won’t be allowed in the venues, if their low, then they’ll be allowed to watch the games.”
The wires indicated that Vietnam posted more than 92,000 new cases on Thursday.
The Philippines will be leaning on 584 athletes in 39 sports in its bid to retain its overall championship in the regional games.
Team Philippines will fly to Hanoi in batches with the main bulk departing on May 10.