Limited face-to-face classes allowed in January 2021

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has approved limited face-to-face basic education classes effective January 2021, but only in low-risk areas that are under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

Private schools that have started limited face-to-face classes in June 2020 will, however, be allowed to continue, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in his virtual press briefing Tuesday, July 21, 2020.

Any decision to allow face-to-face classes in any locality would have to be made in coordination with local government units (LGUs), Department of Education (DepEd) and local health authorities.

Roque also said the President, who met with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) Monday night, July 20, stressed the need to comply with stringent health standards.

Implementation of required health standards will be pilot tested and inspected first by the National Task Force Against Covid-19.

The following are the health standards:

• No mask, no entry policy in school premises;
• Hand washing and hand hygiene;
• Regular disinfection in school premises;
• Checking for temperature and respiratory symptoms;
• Reduction in class size to 15 to 20 and rearrangement of seats to conform to required physical distancing;
• Intermittent attendance to school only to complement distance learning;
• Control of flow of learners and personnel at entrance and exit;
• No mass gatherings;
• Visible instructions, signages and markings; and
• Preparedness and case management system in coordination with LGUs and local health authorities for contact tracing, testing, isolation and treatment.