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DOH says policy barring face-to-face classes stays as COVID-19 infections remain

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Kristine Sabillo, ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The Department of Health on Wednesday said it is still not recommending the resumption of face-to-face classes in schools in the country as almost all areas still have active COVID-19 cases.</p><p>This, amid calls for limited physical classes in certain programs, primary those on health care. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/01/20/in-person-classes-in-colleges-universities-optional-for-select-programs-only-ched">In-person classes in colleges, universities ‘optional,’ for select programs only: CHED</a></li></ul><p>Health Secretary Francisco Duque III previously said that face-to-face classes may resume in areas with zero COVID-19 cases. But during a DOH briefing on Wednesday, he said that key areas continue to report new COVID-19 cases. </p><p>“Sa hanay nga mga probinsya and highly urbanized cities and independent component cities, halos wala nang lugar na zero cases for the last 2 to 4 weeks,” the health chief said.</p><p>(In terms of provinces, and highly urbanized cities and independent component cities, almost none of them have zero cases for the last 2 to 4 weeks.)</p><p>“Lahat &#x27;yan meron except for Batanes. Batanes lang ang nakapagtala ng zero COVID cases for the last 2 to 4 weeks,” he said. </p><p>(All of them recorded cases except for Batanes. Batanes is the only place that recorded zero COVID cases for the last 2 to 4 weeks.)</p><p>“&#x27;Yung atin pong policy sa ngayon ay patuloy na no face-to-face classes,” he emphasized, saying this is President Rodrigo Duterte&#x27;s directive.</p><p>(Our policy right now is to continue to have no face-to-face classes.)</p><p>He said if the President decides to allow face-to-face classes, government must craft guidelines. </p><p>For one, he said, physical classes may only be held in areas with minimal risk of COVID-19 and health facilities in these areas must have enough capacity to deal with new infections, especially patients who might need critical care.</p><p>The northern province of Batanes recorded its first COVID-19 case in September but there are no more active cases.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/29/20/batanes-confirms-first-covid-19-case">READ: Batanes confirms first COVID-19 case</a></li></ul><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-ACGWBUwtiU?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>MANILA — The Department of Health on Wednesday said it is still not recommending the resumption of face-to-face classes for Filipino students since almost all areas in the country still have active COVID-19 cases.</p>

MANILA — The Department of Health on Wednesday said it is still not recommending the resumption of face-to-face classes for Filipino students since almost all areas in the country still have active COVID-19 cases.

DOH says policy barring face-to-face classes stays as COVID-19 infections remain

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DOH says policy barring face-to-face classes stays as COVID-19 infections remain

Kristine Sabillo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 02, 2020 01:14 PM PHT

Read More:

COVID-19 pandemic

Department of Health

face-to-face classes

Department of Education

classes during pandemic

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