MANILA, Philippines — The government’s pandemic task force has allowed face-to-face classes in all college degree programs at 50% capacity in areas under Alert Level 2, according to Commission on Higher Education chairperson Prospero de Vera.
De Vera said Friday in a press briefing that colleges and universities must have high vaccination rates among students and faculty, get local government approval and retrofit facilities before they are allowed to offer face-to-face classes again.
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“They’ll have to follow the guidelines on minimum health standards, retrofitting of facilities, discussion with local government,” De Vera said.
Malacañang said while face-to-face classes have been allowed, this will not immediately take effect.
“There can be limited face-to-face [classes,] but this would not be instant. Face-to-face [classes] won’t resume on Monday. LGUs need to agree to this and classrooms need to be retrofitted,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.
The government approved face-to-face classes in schools offering medical and allied programs in January, and later expanded this in September to include classes for engineering and technology programs, hospitality/hotel and restaurant management, tourism/travel management, marine engineering, and marine transportation.
The move to allow face-to-face classes in all college degree programs comes amid a rapid de-escalation of coronavirus curbs as the number of new infections plunge.