Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 19) — Schools may hold national, regional and off-campus activities again beginning February 24, the Department of Education said Wednesday.
DepEd said in a statement these events, which were temporarily suspended due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) threat, may proceed “provided all precautionary measures identified by DepEd and [the Department of Health] are strictly followed.”
The agency also advised that travel measures and restrictions remain, referring to the mandatory 14-day self-quarantine, beginning from the date of arrival, for students and personnel who have traveled to countries with confirmed COVID-19 cases.
DepEd also told schools to allot weekends to general cleaning and disinfection.
Earlier, the departments of Health, Interior and Local Government and Tourism posted a joint statement clarifying that the public may organize gatherings and festivals as long as precautionary guidelines are observed.
The Philippines has three confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 135 suspected cases in hospitals. More than 400 suspected cases have tested negative for the infection.
