Public schools allowed by DepEd to be used as isolation facilities may be used until the end of this year

President Rodrigo Duterte canceled physical classes since early March shortly after the Department of Health confirmed local COVID-19 transmissions.

Photo credit: cebudailynews.inquirer.net

DepEd then allowed local governments to use public schools as quarantine sites for suspected COVID-19 patients, with the consent of regional heads and subject to terms and conditions.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones has approved the use of public schools as isolation facilities until the end of this year. Malacañang also agreed since the resumption of face-to-face classes in some areas may be allowed by January.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said this will be part of efforts to ramp up quarantine facilities for possible patients of COVID-19.

Roque said in a Palace press briefing,

Nandiyan din po ang ating mga public schools para magsilbing isolation facilities sa level po ng mga barangays,

[Our public schools are there to serve as isolation facilities in the barangay level.]

Importante po talaga ma-isolate kung wala pong sariling kuwarto at walang sariling banyo [sa sariling bahay], 

[Isolation is really important especially for those who don't have their own rooms or bathroom (at home).] he added.

Isolation czar and Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said the government is constructing isolation facilities as they expect to finish some 300 more facilities with a 12,200 bed capacity by the end of the month.

Tuloy-tuloy po iyong pag-construct namin ng mga isolation. So, at least kapag na-test po at na-trace ang mga COVID positive, puwede nang ilagay kaagad sa mga isolation centers,

[We are still constructing isolation facilities. So after testing and tracing, we can put them in isolation centers.] he said.

Classes will open on August 24 through blended learning or the use of modules, radio, television, and internet as media of instruction.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said face-to-face classes will only be allowed in areas that are low-risk of COVID-19 by January 2021.

The Philippines so far has recorded 139,538 COVID-19 cases, including 2,312 deaths and 68,432 recoveries.