In a statement issued on Saturday the Association of Ringside Physicians amended its stance on combat sports. Previously, the ARP had cautioned against combat sports occurring in light of COVID-19.
On Saturday, the association released the following statement:
Although it is impossible to eliminate all risk associated with COVID-19, precautions can be made to reduce the risk of viral transmission. Many athletic commissions, organizations and promotors are developing new guidelines to limit exposure to all involved at events, including athletes, their teams, commission personnel and support staff.
Combat sports event procedures regarding COVID-19 precautions should be actively developed, regularly reviewed and modified based on the evolving knowledge and scientific evidence put forth by public health authorities. These guidelines should also involve local and regional public health officials as well as infectious disease experts and epidemiologists.
Our thoughts continue to be with those who have been and will be affected by this disease. We remain steadfast in our mission to serve, protect and educate all involved in combat sports. If any combat sports organization would like help in developing its guidelines, the Association of Ringside Physicians can provide assistance and guidance.
The Association of Ringside Physicians is a nonprofit organization that applies standards and guidance to ringside medicine. In early April it recommended that all combat sports be suspended until further notice.
With states lifting and/or relaxing the ban on social distancing rules, the ARP has amended its previous statement. It is not specific and I’m not sure if it really can be at this time with the amount that is known or unknown about the situation. Moreover, it places the responsibility on the athletic commissions, organizers and promoters that will establish these safeguards.
The overarching statement from the organization is protection of its physicians as they are putting themselves in harms way as they attempt to do their job. One would hope that there are guidelines based on scientific information in addition to the application of the health and safety standards of the organization regulating the event.
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