UP Diliman to reopen oval on Monday

MANILA, Philippines — The University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City will reopen its academic oval to the public on Feb. 15.

The university last month closed the oval, a popular site for joggers and bikers, due to the increase in new COVID-19 cases and the reported new variants of the viral illness.

“As we are poised to reopen the academic oval on Feb. 15, we would like to remind everyone that the UP Diliman campus, with its wide, open and green spaces, is first an academic institution,” read an advisory.

“The UP Diliman administration, however, is in support of the public’s need for open spaces for their mental and physical well-being. It is also serious in its implementation and observance of health protocols within campus grounds,” it added.

The university reminded those who will use the academic oval and the other open spaces in the campus to strictly follow health guidelines.

These include properly wearing of face masks and face shields at all times, carrying alcohol or sanitizers, observing physical distancing of at least one meter and observing the no eating and no littering polices.

Training and racing are not allowed, while bikers were advised to always follow the designated lanes.

No more than 10 persons in one group will be allowed, with the age restrictions set to those between 15 to 65 years old.

“We have asked the support of Barangay UP Campus COVID-19 Task Force to help us monitor compliance with minimum health protocols,” said the UP Diliman administration.