THE Supreme Court (SC) en banc has postponed the 2022 bar examinations due to the increase in coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in the country.

The SC moved the date of examinations to February 4 to 6, instead of January 23 to 25, 2022.

It said that as of Friday, January 14, 8,546 or 16.8 percent of the total bar examinees were either positive for coronavirus, living with someone positive for the virus, or under quarantine due to direct contact.

“Also, given the current infection rate and quarantine situation of the Bar personnel, 16 of the 31 teams that will be deployed will be critically understaffed if the current schedule were maintained,” it said.

Aside from the dates of the examination, the SC said all existing instructions in previous bar bulletins will not be affected, including the rule that examinees should undergo strict quarantine 14 days prior to the examination day.

“All examinees will be advised to strictly undergo quarantine by January 20, 2022, Thursday,” it said.

Examinees may reach the SC through BarChairLeonen@gmail.com for concerns.

As of Friday, January 14, the Department of Health recorded a total of 3,129,512 Covid-19 cases in the Philippines, of which 37,207 are active.

The health department logged on Friday, January 14, the country’s highest single-day Covid-19 tally with 37,207 infections. (SunStar Philippines)