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. 2021 Mar;3(1):49-53.
doi: 10.1016/j.smhs.2021.01.002. Epub 2021 Feb 10.

COVID-19: It's still time for health professionals, physical activity enthusiasts and sportive leagues not to let guard down

Rodrigo L Vancini  1 , Marília S Andrade  2 , Pantelis T Nikolaidis  3 , Beat Knechtle  4 , Thomas Rosemann  5 , Ricardo B Viana  6 , Claudio A B de Lira  6
Affiliations

COVID-19: It's still time for health professionals, physical activity enthusiasts and sportive leagues not to let guard down

Rodrigo L Vancini et al. Sports Med Health Sci. 2021 Mar.

Abstract

Emerging viral diseases represent a serious issue to public and global healthcare systems and have a high potential for disease dissemination in sport/physical activity and exercise facilities. The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has frightened the sports and physical activity community and enthusiasts for potential transmission, dissemination, and lethality in vulnerable populations; those with chronic diseases, co-morbidities, the elderly people, and in young and healthy people. This pandemic has caused a chain reaction with cancellations of sports competitions and gymnasiums closing around the world. Currently, some sporting events are gradually resuming in certain regions of the world and also the return of competitions and training. In general, without fans and public, the sports media can only report the infection of athletes and coaching staff members. However, this situation is dynamic - the world is currently experiencing the second wave of the disease; with the safety and containment measures for the disease is changing daily. The purpose of this article is to present information concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, to clarify health issues for professionals and people connected to sport and physical activity venues, presenting information to assist in educations and the health promotion and prevention. The time is now for making changes, reviewing the actions and conducts necessary for prevention, and most importantly not letting our guard down, even as vaccines become available for all people in the world. Remembering that even after getting vaccinated, it is necessary to continue with safety measures, for example, the use of facial masks and social distance and hygiene, that is, washing your hands frequently and/or sanitizing with 70% alcohol. We can't let our guard down for COVID-19.

Keywords: Coronavirus; Covid-19; Physical activity; Sport; Viral disease.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.

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