Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 27) — The Department of Education said Friday it would allow local governments to use public schools as quarantine sites for suspected carriers of the novel coronavirus but they have to satisfy the “terms and conditions” set by the agency.
“Kami po ay susuporta kung ito po ay makikita na solusyon o paraan. Meron lang po tayong terms and conditions na dapat pong sundin,” Education Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla said in a briefing, when asked if classrooms could temporarily serve as isolation areas.
[Translation: We support this if they see this as a solution [to address the COVID-19 outbreak]. But we have terms and condition they need to follow.]
Sevilla said that local governments must first discuss with the department’s regional heads before turning the schools into quarantine areas.
“Dapat po ang local government units ay kumunsulta at makipag-coordinate sa ating regional directors and superintendents para po mapatunayan nating wala na pong magamit [na pasilidad],” she said.
[Translation: All the local government units must consult and coordinate with our regional directors and superintendents to make sure they do not really have any other sites they could use.]
They must also ensure that LGUs would adhere to the quarantine guidelines set by the Department of Health, the official added.
Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno said Wednesday they are eyeing to convert some 5,000 classrooms in public elementary and high schools into quarantine facilities should the COVID-19 outbreak turn for the worse in the city.
President Rodrigo Duterte placed the entire Luzon under enhanced community quarantine on March 17, restricting the movement of people to avoid further spread of the disease. He also suspended classes until April 14, but students still have to fulfill their school requirements.
The Philippines reported 96 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, bringing the country’s total to 803.
Nine more have died from the viral disease, raising the death toll to 54. Three more patients have recovered, with recoveries now at 31.
