MANILA, Philippines — A task force to protect schools from the threat of the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV) has been created.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones issued DepEd Memorandum 011 creating the Task Force for the Management of DepEd Response to nCoV, noting that the flu virus is a “matter of serious and urgent concern.”
The task force “stands ready to contribute to overall government efforts for the management of this public health situation,” the memo read.
It will lead DepEd efforts within the school system by formulating policies and developing strategies and action plans, the memo added.
The task force is composed of a policy group chaired by Briones and an operations group headed by the department’s assistant secretary for administration.
At the policy level, it is mandated to coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH) in implementing guidelines in response to the situation, including lockdown or suspension of classes or work should the need arises.
At the operations level, the task force is tasked to monitor the situation in central and field offices as well as schools and ensure the implementation of DOH guidelines, DepEd standard protocols and policy directives on nCoV. It will also liaise with DOH teams tracing individuals who were in contact or may have been exposed to persons found positive for the disease.
Palaro postponed
Meanwhile, Briones said this year’s Palarong Pambansa to be held in Marikina City as well as other major activities in the first quarter of this year would be postponed to prevent the spread of nCoV.
“We have been advised to take care with exposing children to crowded places... The policy is for the temporary postponement of these activities because we’ll be drawing in learners, teachers and family members from all regions for these athletic meets... and so on,” Briones told a hearing of the Senate committee on health yesterday.
She said the DepEd is also discouraging schools from holding field trips.
In Misamis Oriental, thermal scanners will be installed at its airports and seaports.
On Monday, the city government of Cagayan de Oro created a task force to address the threat of NCoV even as three persons are being monitored for showing symptoms of the disease.
In Pampanga, the provincial health office with the assistance of the DOH and Jose Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital will train 100 doctors and health professionals on how to handle nCoV cases. – With Gerry Lee Gorit, Ric Sapnu, Paolo Romero