Citing the recent increase in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country, the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) has postponed the planned return of limited face-to-face classes and onsite work.
Ateneo President Roberto C. Yap SJ, through a memorandum released Wednesday, Jan. 12, said the return to campus earlier planned for January 2022 "will be postponed indefinitely to ensure the safety of the entire University community."
"As our nation confronts this COVID-19 surge, we again emphasize the need to follow strict health and safety protocols wherever you are, even at home, to protect yourself and the ones around you. Get vaccinated, and if qualified get your booster shot," Yap said.
"Lastly, I fervently pray for the safety and fast recovery of members of the Ateneo community who currently have the disease, or have loved ones battling COVID-19. This sudden surge has dampened our entry into 2022, but the Ateneo community's spirit and determination to move towards a "better normal" will never waver. Let us all help fight this surge, as we ease into a post-pandemic world," he added.
Classes will remain to be fully online and staff will be on remote work except for those who regularly report onsite.
However, the limited in-person classes in the School of Medicine and Public Health, as well as the administration of the 2020 and 2021 Bar Examinations at the Ateneo Law School Rockwell Campus will still proceed.
The opening of classes in the Loyola Schools for the second semester of School Year 2021-2022 will be moved to Jan. 31.
Yap assured that the preparations for on-campus classes and work will continue "to ensure that the protocols and facilities will be ready when it is already possible for us to return to campus."
Meanwhile, Yap also announced a University-wide long weekend beginning Thursday, Jan. 13 to Saturday, Jan. 16 "to give time to those who are sick to rest and recover, and for those attending to sick family members to focus on caring for them, and to all to have a break from the demands of work."
Classes and work, whether online or onsite, will resume on Monday, Jan. 17.