The PBA will fine players who violate health and safety protocols when teams resume training.

Commissioner Willie Marcial said the PBA will strictly enforce the health guidelines to prevent the spread and contraction of the coronavirus as the league aims to resume its season by October.

The PBA will adopt a closed circuit bubble concept, which will limit players’ travels to just their houses and practice facilities.

Players who go elsewhere or receive guests at their homes – acts of “bursting” the bubble – will need to report their activities to their assigned health officers and the league.

Failure to do so will lead to a fine.

“When you fail to tell us or when we find out that you lied, first offense is a P5,000 fine,” Marcial said in Filipino during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.

The fine will double for repeat offenders.

Meanwhile, a P20,000 fine awaits players who will not adhere to league protocols during training, with the amount doubling for every violation.

“These protocols are not just for you but also for your families and your teammates’ families,” Marcial said as a message to players.

Practices, which are targeted by the PBA to start on July 22, will have only 6 persons – 4 players, 1 coach or trainer, and 1 safety officer – on the court for each training session.

Games are still not allowed, but Marcial said the league will seek approval from the Inter-Agency Task Force in August to permit teams to hold scrimmages.

All PBA players will be tested 3 days before training resumes and every 10 days after the initial test. – Rappler.com