The Department of Education (DepEd) said face-to-face classes will continue, despite the looming threat of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.
DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones cited experts saying that the Omicron variant may not be as dangerous as other variants, such as Delta.
She said the DepEd will not “wait” until Omicron is detected in the country, and that news that the variant is not as dangerous as other variants is “comforting news.”
The DepEd is also poised to include other grade levels to have face-to-face classes by December or early next year.
Briones also noted that the government has yet to report a COVID-19 case with the Omicron variant.
In a statement, the Department of Health said “of the 48 samples sequenced, 38 (79.17%) Delta (B.1.617.2) variant cases; the rest had non-VOC (variant of concern) lineages or had no lineages detected.”
The Ateneo de Manila University meanwhile is returning to gradual face-to-face classes in January next year.
The university would pilot its face-to-face classes with the Loyola Schools or ADMU’s tertiary level school unit which offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs and the Professional Schools which include School of Law, Graduate School of Business, School of Government, and School of Medicine and Public Health.
It would also open its campus for other academic activities, such as research, teacher consultation, and counseling and psychological services.
“Strict safety and health protocols are in place to protect the Ateneo community. All employees and guests entering our campuses (Loyola Heights, Rockwell, Pasig, and Salcedo) should be fully vaccinated, or undergo the appropriate COVID-19 testing to be prescribed by the University physician,” its message read.
“As the pandemic situation remains uncertain, all plans are subject to change depending on the circumstances and new directives issued by IATF, DepEd, CHED, DOH, DOLE, the Quezon City local government, and other pertinent government agencies,” it added.
The Loyola Schools and the Professional Schools is set to release detailed guidelines on the return to on-site classes.
The university is providing a separate advisory for ADMU’s Basic Education schools, including senior high school, junior high school, and grade school in due time. The university will provide a separate advisory for ADMU’s Basic Education schools, including senior high school, junior high school, and grade school in due time. With Rio N. Araja