IATF backs return to face-to-face classes, rejects mandatory vaccination


The government's pandemic task force has expressed strong support for the conduct of face-to-face classes for all public and private institutions for basic education, Malacañang said.

MANNY LLANES / MANILA BULLETIN

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar made this statement as the number of active Covid-19 cases has gone below 4,000.

Andanar, however, said that despite the support of the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, vaccination against Covid-19 cannot be a requirement for students to join in-person classes.

"It must be stated, however, that Covid-19 vaccination shall not be made a requirement for the conduct of full face-to-face classes for basic education," he said Friday, May 13.

Andanar enjoined schools to coordinate with the government and undertake vaccination programs instead.

"The IATF strongly encouraged public and private educational institutions for basic education to undertake Covid-19 vaccination programs for their respective learners," he said.

"To provide an opportunity for children to be vaccinated, public educational institutions for basic education are enjoined to allow the Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with their respective local government units (LGUs), to facilitate the conduct of the Covid-19 vaccination programs within their premises," he added.

The DOH, according to Andanar, shall ensure the proper implementation of the Covid-19 vaccination programs for basic education learners in public and private educational institutions.