Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 7) — If Metro Manila, the country’s pandemic epicenter, eases to Alert Level 2, the government can expand the implementation of the face-to-face classes pilot run to the capital.
“If NCR will be able, bumaba na ang mga kaso, bumaba na ang hospitalization, at napunta na tayo sa Alert Level 2, makakasama na po tayo dun,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during a Palace briefing on Thursday.
[Translation: If NCR will be able to reduce its cases, hospitalization rate, and be under Alert Level 2, it will be included (in the pilot run).]
The capital region remains under Alert Level 4 until next week, Oct. 15.
Vergeire also said that even though Metro Manila is still under Alert Level 4, it is possible that the government may allow certain schools within the region to accept in-person students from barangays that are classified as low- or minimal-risk to COVID-19.
She said the Department of Health and the Department of Education (DepEd) are still studying the expansion of face-to-face classes.
“Ating titingnan sa ibang linggo kung ano pang areas ang pwede maisama sa Alert Level 2, depending on the metrics that we have,” Vergeire added.
[Translation: We will see in the next weeks what other areas can be included under Alert Level 2, depending on the metrics that we have.]
Earlier, health officials said reopening schools in urban areas will be trickier as most of them remain at moderate or high risk for COVID-19.
As of Oct. 6, Metro Manila has 24,097 active cases.
Meanwhile, the DepEd is gearing up as the government intends to begin the limited in-person classes by Nov. 15, covering 59 public schools.
READ: Pilot run of limited face-to-face classes to start Nov. 15
Students will not be forced to take part in the pilot run, according to Education Secretary Leonor Briones.
She added, however, that students still need to secure permission from parents should they decide to partcipate.
