DepEd allows schools to be used as quarantine areas

THE Department of Education (DepEd) has designated its regional directors to evaluate the requests of local government units (LGUs) to use public school facilities as quarantine and isolation areas for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients.

In a memo issued and signed by Education Secretary Leonor Briones on Thursday, the DepEd said the decision should be based on the final evaluation by schools division superintendents in consultation with school heads and the regional offices of the Department of Health (DoH).

The Education department was prompted to make the decision after they received a growing number of requests by various LGUs.

“DepEd is fully cooperating with the Office of the President, the Inter- Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Cabinet on decisions concerning Covid-19,” the memorandum read.

According to the guideline, if a school would be used as a quarantine area, it should be managed by the municipal or city health department and “must conform” to DoH guidelines.

“The LGU must present the planned management of the facility, which shall be under the supervision of the city/municipal health officer, and must conform to existing DoH standards and guidelines,” the DepEd memo stated.

In a televised briefing, Education Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla assured that after using the classrooms as quarantine areas, they would still be safe for the learners, teachers, and the community near it.

Meanwhile, DepEd said the regional directors would devise an appropriate system for monitoring the use of schools within their jurisdiction as quarantine or isolation areas.