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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Duterte still opposed to face-to-face classes, says DOH; children not yet allowed to go malls

Duterte still opposed to face-to-face classes, says DOH; children not yet allowed to go malls

Published Dec 2, 2020 04:12 pm

The resumption of face-to-face classes is still not recommended at this time by the Department of Health (DOH) as most areas of  the country have active cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). 

(AFP Photo / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

"Yung atin pong policy sa ngayon ay patuloy na no face-to-face classes. Iyan po ang desisyon/ direktiba ni Pangulong Duterte sa IATF (Interagency Task Force) ," said DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III in an online forum on Wednesday. 

Duque said that only the Batanes province have zero cases of COVID-19 in the "last two to four weeks."

"Sa hanay ng mga probinsya and highly urbanized cities and independent component cities, halos wala nang lugar na zero cases for the last two to four weeks. Lahat iyan meron except for Batanes ," he noted.

Duque said that it all depends on President Duterte if the face-to-face classes will resume. If this happens, concerned government agencies will make guidelines.

"Para masiguro natin na kung magkakaroon man ng limited face-to-face classes--siguraduhin natin na nasa lugar na may low to minimal risk ang COVID cases at siguraduhin na sapat ang kanilang health systems capacity ," said Duque. 

Children in malls

Meanwhile, the DOH is not in favor of allowing children to go to mall establishments during this time. 

“Ang posisyon namin hindi nagbabago. Hanggat sa maari, we discourage that, dahil meron pa ring risk ,” said Duque. 

Duque said that children are vulnerable to COVID-19. 

“Mga three to five percent ng ating total infected cases ay sa mga bata nangyari. So hindi po sila exempted sa hawahan ,” he added. 

Metro Manila mayors are expected to release their recommendation tomorrow, December 3 whether to allow minors inside mall establishments, said Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Jose Arturo Garcia. 

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