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Online transaction complaints surge during lockdown

COMPLAINTS involving online transactions rose to 8,059 at the height of the lockdown from 985 in the three months to March, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

“Less than 1,000…complaints received from January to March. But because everybody was at home during the height of the ECQ (enhanced community quarantine), April and May it has risen to 8,000,” Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo said during a virtual hearing of the House committee on trade and industry Thursday.

Ms. Castelo said that price-related complaints were the most reported by consumers during the lockdown.

“Price Act-related complaints, particularly on overpricing, substantially increased from 51 complaints received to 6,992 complaints. However, since the products involved, such as alcohol, face masks, etc., are not under the purview of the DTI, such complaints were endorsed to other agencies concerned such as the DoH (Department of Health) for appropriate action,” Ms. Castelo said in her presentation.

In the five months to May, complaints about online transactions amounted to 9,044. This is significantly higher than the 2,457 complaints in 2019.

The committee was discussing House Bill 6122 which seeks to establish an E-commerce Bureau to act as a “virtual one stop shop” for consumer complaints on internet transactions and protect them from fraudulent online sales.

Ms. Castelo said that the passage of the bill will help the department boost consumer confidence.

“It will help us resolve complaints, it will help us build consumer confidence in the government… it’s very important that consumers know that the government will take care of them,” she said. — Genshen L. Espedido

Agencies’ cash utilization rate declines in first five months

GOVERNMENT agencies’ cash usage rate was 78% in the first five months, much lower than the year-earlier level of 92%, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.

The DBM tracks an indicator called Notices of cash allocation (NCAs) issued to line agencies, which is an authorization to spend allotted funds.

According to the DBM’s Status of NCA Utilization report, it said used cash allocations totaled P1.42 trillion out of, P1.82 trillion released in the five months to May, leaving unused NCAs of P400.399 billion.

The five-month rate was higher than the 63% logged in the four months to April.

In May, NCA usage was P333.061 billion, exceeding the P94.082 billion released that month. However, usage fell compared with April’s P445.89 billion.

In a text message, DBM Assistant Secretary Rolando U. Toledo said the NCA usage was higher than releases because the NCAs released in April cover the cash requirements for the second quarter.

In April, NCAs released hit P1.075 trillion with only P445.89 billion used.

“Subsequent releases in May (P94.08 billion) are then in addition to those released in April. Hence, cash utilization in May (P333.06 billion) includes those released in April,” Mr. Toledo added. — Beatrice M. Laforga

Global oil market will take time to hit supply/demand equilibrium

REBALANCING supply and demand in the oil market may take time as lockdown measures ease across the globe, according to Moody’s Investor Service.

The credit-rating firm in May cut its medium-term oil price outlook to $45-$65 per barrel (bbl) from the previous $50-$70/bbl, with a price recovery expected by early June as supply reductions match up with falling demand.

“We expect an uneven and prolonged rebalancing of the oil market,” it said, adding this will not trigger a broad review of oil-industry ratings.

A price recovery towards its projected range will depend on the pace of demand recovery and on “sustained” discipline in cutting production.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allied nations (OPEC+) on June 6 agreed to further extend production cuts of 9.6 million barrels per day (bpd) until the end of July to balance the oil market.

The group decided to cut output in April following a market crash as demand fell due to the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Moody’s trimmed its price outlook for the North American benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) to $30/bbl this year and $40/bbl in 2021. In April, prices at WTI fell to negative territory for the first time, meaning producers had to pay to store their oil during the glut.

Moody’s also reduced its price assumptions for the international benchmark Brent to $35/bbl for 2020 and $45/bbl for next year.

The low prices in 2020-2021 are “credit negative” for the oil sector, pressuring return on capital and future growth and delaying capital investment.

“Even as oil prices are recovering, financial risks will remain high, especially for smaller and lower-rated exploration and production (E&P) and oilfield services and drilling (OFS) companies,” Moody’s said.

Meanwhile, lower margins and product demand prompted global oil refiners to seek liquidity to shore up their working capital, “implying higher leverage despite a short-term gain in liquidity from issuing debt,” according to Moody’s.

“Any ratings impact from a refiner raising debt to supplement liquidity would depend on whether the increase in debt is temporary or permanent… Ratings implications would depend on how likely we believe the refiner will repay the new debt, including whether the company has publicly said it intends to do so,” the credit rating company said. — Adam J. Ang

BoC collection target slashed to P542 billion

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) collection target for 2020 has been reduced to P541.703 billion with the severe economic slowdown expected to persist through the remainder of the year.

Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero issued Memorandum No. 113-2020 outlining the revised revenue target collections of all ports based on the estimates approved by the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) on May 12.

The latest target is 25.7% lower than the P730-billion target set earlier this year before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic ground the global economy to a standstill.

Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) and Batangas ports were tasked to collect around half of the BoC’s port revenue this year.

MICT was set a target to collect P148.85 billion, or 27% of the total, followed by Batangas port with a P128.84-billion target which is around 24% of the total.

Port of Manila’s target was the third highest at P73.9 billion, followed by Limay port’s P42.7 billion, Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s P35.48 billion, Cebu port’s P26.7 billion, and ports in Cagayan de Oro and Subic at around P24 billion each. The port of Davao has been set a target of P22.79 billion.

Other ports’ targets are: P3.9 billion for San Fernando, La Union, P3.5 billion for Zamboanga, P2.6 billion for Iloilo, P1.5 billion for Clark, P1.1 billion for Tacloban, P482 million for Legaspi, P184 million for Aparri and P15 million for Surigao.

Last month, the DBCC projected government revenue at P2.61 trillion this year, lower than P3.14 trillion in 2019 and the P3.17 trillion forecast in March, on the back of the expected 2-3.4% contraction in the economy this year.

Citing preliminary data, the BoC said collections in May declined 48.4% year on year to P30.01 billion in May, 10% short of its P33.33-billion target.

This brought year-to-date collections to P210.18 billion, down 16.5% and missing the target of P213.5 billion. — Beatrice M. Laforga

COVID-19 infections may reach 40,000 this month — UP team

By Vann Marlo M. Villegas, Reporter

CORONAVIRUS infections may reach 40,000 by the end of June based on the rate of transmissions, according to a team of researchers from the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Guido David, a mathematics professor from UP and part of the OCTA Research team, said the reproduction number of the virus in the Philippines is about 1.2, meaning it continues to spread.

The Department of Health (DoH) reported 443 new coronavirus infections on Thursday, bringing the total to 24,175.

The death toll rose to 1,036 after nine more patients died, while 270 more patients have gotten well, bringing the total recoveries to 5,165, it said in a bulletin.

Of the new cases, 253 results were reported in the past three days, while 190 were reported late.

A reproduction number — the ratio of infections to recoveries — of less than 1 means there’s a flattening of the curve, he added.

In epidemiology, the idea of slowing a virus’ spread so that fewer people need to seek treatment at a time is known as flattening the curve.

Countries worldwide including the Philippines have imposed lockdowns and asked people to observe social distancing to slow the virus spread.

The curve researchers are talking about refers to the projected number of people who will get infected over time.

“The projection is 40,000 cases by June 30,” Mr. David said at an online news briefing. The reproduction number for Metro Manila is about 0.96.

Ranjit Singh Rye, a political science professor from UP and a fellow of the research team, said the government should scale up testing, tracing and treatment strategies.

He also said the government should take the reproduction number of the coronavirus seriously.

“It’s still a significant number, a number that the government must take seriously,” he said at the same briefing.

Mr. Rye said people should continue observing health protocols including wearing masks and practicing social distancing. The ideal testing capacity is about 15,000 daily.

The Department of Health said the country’s rated testing capacity is about 30,000 but the actual daily testing capacity is only 10,000 due to operational issues faced by laboratories.

“One could argue that we’re not testing enough but we have certainly improved our testing capability and capacity,” Mr. Rye said.

Meanwhile, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire said Health Secretary Francisco T. III had approved the guidelines for the expanded targeted testing.

The expanded coverage will include frontliners in quarantine facilities, village health emergency response teams, prison and jail employees and social workers.

Pregnant women, people who undergo high-risk operations, detainees, institutionalized persons, people undergoing dialysis, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and those with immuno-compromised conditions like people HIV will also be prioritized.

Other frontliners would only be tested if they had close contact with probable and confirmed cases, Ms. Vergeire said.

Those who are vulnerable to contracting the disease will be tested only upon recommendation by the attending doctor.

Ms. Vergeire also said that under the guidelines, a repeat test is not required for patients to recover and be sent home.

Rallies banned during lockdown — DoJ chief

STREET protesters risk being penalized under public health laws because rallies are banned during the lockdown meant to contain a coronavirus pandemic, the Justice department said on Thursday.

Mass gatherings are allowed only for public health reasons, Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra told reporters in a Viber message.

“Violations may give rise to penal sanctions under existing public health laws, not under criminal laws,” he said.

Protests called mañanitas are scheduled on June 12 in celebration of Philippine Independence Day.

Mañanita refers to a celebration of one’s birthday or a saint’s feast day, and critics have alluded to the birthday celebration held for Police Major General Debold M. Sinas on May 8 despite strict quarantine rules.

Mr. Sinas remains the National Capital Region police chief even after he was charged for violating lockdown rules.

A protest was held at the University of the Philippines-Diliman last week against the passage of a bill seeking to strengthen the country’s anti-terrorism law. Critics have said the government could use the law to violate human rights.

At least eight people were arrested in Cebu last week after a protest against the measure. They were ordered released on Monday.

Presidential spokesman Harry L. Roque warned that only 10 people were allowed at any mass gatherings. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

10 million students enroll online amid COVID-19 pandemic

ABOUT 10 million students have registered for the school year scheduled to start in August, according to the Department of Education.

Metro Manila, where coronavirus infections are mostly concentrated, had the second-biggest number of enrollees at 1.4 million, Education Secretary Leonor M. Briones told the Senate basic education committee on Thursday.

Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) had 1.6 enrollees, while Central Luzon had 1.1 million, she said.

“We have already achieved 36.26% of our projected enrollment for 2020,” the Education chief told the Senate committee, which wanted to assess of the pandemic’s impact on the education sector. Enrollment runs from June 1 to 30.

Ms. Briones said the department was bent on opening classes on Aug, 24 even if students can’t go to school yet in the absence of a vaccine for the coronavirus disease 2019.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte earlier said he did not want classes to start without a vaccine. The presidential palace later clarified that the President was referring to face-to-face classes.

“Right now, his policy stands and as we transition, we will be briefing him from time to time, especially on the state of the development of the vaccine,” Ms. Briones said. “The learning process must continue because there are other ways of learning.”

During the hearing, Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian raised concerns about the P8.4-billion budget cut made by the Budget officials on the Education department’s budget.

This included P1.47 billion from the voucher program for private senior high schools, P500 million for the school-based feeding program and P107 million for the special education program.

The P1.47-billion cut from the voucher program means 60,000 beneficiary students will be removed, Mr. Gatchalian said. “My worry is a number of students won’t be able to go to school.”

Education Undersecretary Annalyn M. Sevilla agreed the funding was essential, adding that they would seek to have the budget restored once the government’s fiscal status improves. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

#COVID-19 Regional Updates (06/11/20)

Eastern Visayas COVID-19 cases more than double as residents, overseas workers return

CORONAVIRUS disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in the Eastern Visayas Region has shot up to 76 as of June 10 from 28 two weeks ago, most of whom are returning locally-stranded residents and overseas workers, and some beneficiaries of the government’s balik probinsya program. The provinces of Leyte and Biliran, and the cities of Ormoc and Tacloban are among the areas that registered their first cases. There are no deaths recorded while 34 have already recovered and the rest are admitted in healthcare facilities. Department of Health Regional Director Minerva P. Molon assured people that the situation is being managed well given preparations made during the almost three-month lockdown period. The region has two accredited testing laboratories, protocols for all incoming people, and isolation facilities set up by local governments. In a May 31 statement to allay worries as the COVID-19 cases started to increase, Ms. Molon said, “These past few days caused so much fear, confusion and finger pointing. This is not the time for that. Now is the time for better understanding of this health situation. For our returning residents, returning overseas Filipinos and the beneficiaries of the Balik Probinsya Program, please do not waste the efforts of out local governments and our frontliners. They only need your cooperation and honesty. My appeal to the general public is to be non-judgemental and discriminating towards our confirmed cases. They are victims of circumstances and being positive is not their liking. Let’s all help together to drive away COVID-19 in the region.” In Tacloban, the regional center, Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez on Wednesday quelled rumors that the city is going on another strict lockdown. The city is already under the relaxed quarantine category with most business, including restaurants, allowed to operate with health protocols. “We are not locking down, that happening is farfetched,” Mr. Romualdez said in mixed English in Filipino. Ms. Molon also reminded people that, “To put a halt on the chains of transmission of infectious disease like COVID-19, contact tracing is important. That is why we appeal to all the returnees of this region to please give correct information. To stop the transmission of COVID-19 we have to detect, report, isolate and treat. I’d like also to reiterate the need for the public to embrace the ‘New Normal.’” — MSJ

Marawi rehabilitation will be completed by 2021 — Del Rosario

THE government’s 2021 target for completing Marawi’s rehabilitation is on track despite work disruptions due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis, according to Housing Secretary Eduardo D. Del Rosario. In a briefing on Thursday, Mr. Del Rosario, who also heads Task Force Bangon Marawi, said construction work for the rehabilitation will go on “full blast” next month, especially after President Rodrigo R. Duterte approved a P3.56 billion budget last month for the program. “I was assured by all implementing agencies that we are on the right track still despite the three months na hindi tayo nakapagtrabaho masyado (that we were not able to do much work),” he said. On May 23, 2017, local extremist groups launched a siege on Marawi, prompting an intense gun battle with government forces that lasted for almost five months. Parts of Marawi, particularly its central area, was left in ruins. The task force has been criticized for its slow implementation of the rehabilitation program, with thousands of displaced residents still living in temporary shelters. — Gillian M. Cortez

Nationwide round-up

House committee to probe poultry importation policy amid oversupply

THE HOUSE committee on agriculture and food will look into the poultry industry’s grievance over the government’s refusal to temporarily stop imports amid oversupply in the market. “UBRA’s (United Broiler Raisers Association) statement on the challenges and issues besetting the poultry industry today needs to be thoroughly discussed, addressed and acted upon. The poultry producers deserve to be heard and be assured that the government is doing its share to combat the problem arising from high levels of importation of poultry’s products, while we are experiencing an oversupply of broilers in the market,” Quezon Rep. Wilfrido Mark M. Enverga, who chairs the committee, said in a statement on Thursday. “The House Committee on Agriculture and Food will definitely investigate this matter,” he added. UBRA said the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has dismissed their appeal, made through the Department of Agriculture, to suspend chicken importation. “The country, more than any other period, needs measures to ensure the adequacy, availability, and affordability of our agricultural food products and it should be done by protecting our local producers and manufacturers,” Mr. Enverga said. — Genshen L. Espedido

Anyone can file case opposing anti-terrorism bill, says chief justice

CHIEF Justice Diosdado M. Peralta said the proposed anti-terrorism law, once signed by the President, may be questioned by anyone before the Supreme Court. Holding an oral argument over the petition, however, will depend on the issues raised. “It will depend on the deliberations whether to conduct an oral argument or recommend first. It will depend, it will depend on the issues, because they might be asking only veto of certain provisions, or the veto of the whole law, so it will depend,” he said in a virtual briefing Thursday. Mr. Peralta also said how the case will proceed will depend on the comment of the Office of the Solicitor-General if there are factual issues. “But if the issues are merely, purely constitutional, there’s no need to determine the factual issues, then probably we just submit the case for decision based on the responses and pleadings of the parties,” he said. Various human rights and lawyers groups have expressed opposition to the proposed law over constitutionality issues. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Continuing rise in COVID-19 cases likely to keep lockdown rules

THE CONTINUING rise of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases could discourage the government from relaxing lockdown rules after June 15, particularly in Metro Manila and Cebu City, Palace Spokesperson Harry L. Roque said on Thursday. The President is expected to announce the decision on Monday. The Department of Health reported 443 new cases on June 11, bringing the country’s total to 24,175, with more than half in Metro Manila. “It does not inspire relaxation but the announcement as I said is subject to appeal and will be announced by the President,” Mr. Roque said in a briefing on Thursday. — Gillian M. Cortez

Seafarer commits suicide while awaiting repatriation

A FILIPINO seafarer committed suicide while awaiting repatriation to the Philippines, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. said on Thursday. “It is my sad duty to report that a 28-year old female mariner committed suicide in her cabin in the ship where she’s had to stay because repatriation flights back to the Philippines have been suspended again,” Mr. Locsin said in a social media post. “I know our quarantine facilities are jam-packed; just don’t know why.” The seafarer was identified as Mariah Jocson, who was a crew member of the vessel Harmony of the Seas. Her death is the second recorded suicide involving a Filipino abroad amid the coronavirus disease 2019 crisis. “We are tartly reminded that Filipino resilience is no excuse to stretch them to breaking point,” Mr. Locsin said. The Department of Foreign Affairs has been assisting Filipinos abroad seeking repatriation. On Thursday, 303 seafarers of AIDA cruises from Germany and 70 overseas Filipino workers from Cambodia arrived in the country. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Balik probinsya trips suspended

THE URBAN decongestion program known as balik probinsya will be temporarily suspended as the government gives priority to bringing home locally stranded individuals to their provinces. In a briefing on Thursday, National Housing Authority General Manager Marcelino P. Escalada, Jr. said the scheduled return of beneficiaries from Camarines Sur and Zamboanga del Norte has been put on hold. “I decided… to suspend rollouts of the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-Asa… this is a very clear instruction from the President na unahin balikin ang mga stranded (to prioritize first those who are stranded),” he said. Stranded individuals are those who have been locked out of their hometowns after border closures were implemented. This group includes students, overseas workers who were no longer able to leave the country, and local workers, among others. Palace Spokesperson Harry L. Roque said various government agencies have already been mobilized to assist them, particularly those who have been forced to camp at bus stations, public spaces, and outside the airport in Manila due to lack of available transport options. Mr. Roque said they want to prevent another case similar to that of Michelle Silvertino, a woman who passed away while waiting for five days for an available bus ride home to her hometown. — Gillian M. Cortez

NCAA pushes start of Season 96 to next year

SEASON 96 of the country’s oldest collegiate league will start next year after the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) on Thursday moved to defer its opening in response to the continued threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Following a Policy Board meeting, the NCAA announced that it was decided that Season 96, which Colegio de San Juan de Letran is hosting, shall begin in the “early months of 2021” but still subject to approval of the government and in accordance with strict safety and health protocols.

It also said there will only be four mandatory sports in Season 96, namely, basketball, volleyball, swimming and track and field. The NCAA, though, said that plans for an online chess tournament and esports are being finalized.

Also, in light of the development, some rules and requirements on student-athletes’ eligibility such as age, enrollment, grades and even playing years shall be relaxed in consideration of the disruption of the school year and major changes in the education system.

In coming up with the decision, the NCAA said it had the safety and health of all stakeholders, including student-athletes, coaches and trainers and the general public, in mind.

It went on to say that it is still committed to its objective of youth development through sports despite the setback and that it will get back as soon as conditions allow it.

The NCAA was supposed to open next month until COVID-19 rendered it impossible to do so.

The league was looking at starting the season later this year before arriving at the decision to push it back to early 2021.

The announcement was signed by Rev. Fr. Victor C. Calvo, Jr. OP, chairman of the Management Committee of NCAA Season 96, and Rev. Fr. Clarence Victor C. Marquez, OP, president of the Policy Board of NCAA Season 96.

Both are from host Letran, which incidentally is celebrating its quadricentennial anniversary this year. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Razer seeks to sustain gains of Southeast Asian esports scene

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

A KEY PLAYER in the continued growth of esports in Southeast Asia, global gaming lifestyle brand Razer is seeking to sustain the gains of the region in the sport by continuously coming up with platforms to showcase what gamers in this part of the world are capable of.

Among the events it has come up with is the upcoming Razer Southeast Asian Invitational 2020, which kicks off on June 22 and culminates in the grand finals on July 3–5.

The Invitational serves as a follow-up to esports’ debut as a medal sport in the Southeast Asian Games held here in the country last year, where Razer was the official esports partner. It is also aimed at preparing gamers for the next edition of the Games in 2021 in Vietnam.

Gamers from the different countries in Southeast Asia will pit their skills in the three games featured at the SEA Invitational, namely, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds Mobile (PUBG Mobile), Defense of the Ancients 2 (DOTA 2) and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB).

For Razer Esports Director David Tse, the upcoming Invitational is significant not only to what they want to accomplish as an organization but, more importantly, for the growth of esports in the region, especially coming off the sport’s successful debut in the SEA Games.

“The success of the first medal esports event at the 30th SEA Games in 2019 was not just a historical event for both esports community and audiences of the world sporting stage, it also recognizes esports as medal sports, supported by a proper infrastructure and sustainable development by the esports federations in the region,” said Mr. Tse in an email correspondence with BusinessWorld.

“The Razer SEA-Invitational is planned to be held in-between SEA Games as a platform on which all participating esports federations can continue to leverage on, providing their national teams with the opportunity to compete and gain more experience regionally,” he added.

The Razer official furthered that their experience in the Philippines last year in the SEA Games provided key takeaways for them as they went about preparing for the Invitational and how they are angling their push moving forward.

“With our sights firmly set on our CEO Min Liang Tan’s vision of establishing esports as a medal sport at the Olympics, SEA Games is an important step and one that is necessary for regional success. With the diversity of the countries in the region, along with the growth of their respective esports federations, we have managed to establish the fundamentals of a regional platform to give different levels of esports athletes the opportunity to compete for their nations,” he said.

Adding, “The key learning we have is to continue to reinforce the planning and alignment with the federations, making sure that they all have an equal voice to this platform of ensuring inclusiveness and fairness, and also supporting the objectives of the federations to develop esports in their country as a recognized sport.”

Just like many organizations, Razer laments the toll the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had across the board all over the world.

But it considers itself lucky that gaming is on an electric platform, making adapting to the present circumstances with COVID-19 somehow not as difficult.

“We are fortunate that gaming is an electronic platform and the community has faced no difficulty adapting to the need to shift platforms online — after all, it’s electronic sports for a reason… We have seen a significant increase in esports online viewership and with the presence of well-established online casters and streamers in the ecosystem, we are at the forefront of online tournament capability, bringing esports to more gaming audiences,” Mr. Tse said.

SEA Invitational is held in partnership with Tier One Entertainment. It is also supported by the various esports federations from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

To view the Razer Southeast Asian Invitational 2020, viewers can tune into Team Razer’s social channels on YouTube, Facebook and Twitch for the live streams.

NBA might allow players to opt out of season’s restart

NOT all National Basketball Association players are thrilled about the league’s plan to restart action in a central Florida “bubble,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Wednesday.

As a result, the league and the National Basketball Players Association are working on an agreement to allow players to voluntarily skip the season’s resumption with no consequences, according to the report.

A conference call that featured up to 50 players reportedly saw some of the participants express concern about the protocols surrounding the resumption of play at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando.

Especially among players on teams that aren’t viewed as legitimate threats to reach the NBA Finals, doubts about the plan are surfacing, though they haven’t yet risen to the level of the NBPA seeking any protocol changes, per Wojnarowski.

The sentiment is being driven by concern over both the coronavirus pandemic and the nationwide protests sparked by the death of George Floyd on May 25.

Training camp is set to begin in mid-July for the 22 teams that were in playoff position or close to it when the NBA suspended its season on March 11 after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19.

Among the major sticking points is the fact that visitors won’t be permitted in the “bubble” until the end of the first round of the playoffs, almost seven weeks after players arrive at Disney World, according to the report.

Players who leave the facility reportedly would be subject to a 10-day quarantine upon their return.

Wojnarowski reported that players could undergo a medical exam to be classified as being at high risk of COVID-19, which would grant them permission to stay home. Those without a medical waiver could opt out of the Disney World action by forfeiting their pay for the team’s last eight regular-season games, according to the report.

ESPN cited sources as saying fill-in players would be allowed to compete in Orlando in place of any who opt against appearing. In addition, any players who are replaced on the roster because of an injury or because they contract the coronavirus reportedly would not be allowed to resume action this season. — Reuters

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