MANILA, Philippines – The Career Service Examination-Pen and Paper Test scheduled this March 15 would push through despite the looming COVID-19 (formerly known as the 2019 novel coronavirus) threat the Civil Service Commission (CSC) said.
However, CSC has advised examinees showing flu-like symptoms to refrain from taking the tests, as a precautionary measure.
“The Career Service Examination-Pen and Paper Test (CSE-PPT) scheduled on 15 March 2020 will push through in 66 testing centers nationwide. Examinees who exhibit flu-like symptoms on the day of exams are advised not to take the tests,” CSC said in a statement on its website dated Wednesday.
“This was announced […] in response to the Department of Health (DOH) recent recommendation for the cancellation of events that draw a huge number of attendees,” the commission added.
The CSC added that they also urge people affected by respiratory illnesses, those who recently made trips to COVID-19 affected areas especially mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau or had direct contact with infected patients to skip the May 2020 exams.
They may take the exams on the next edition of the tests, scheduled for August 2020.
“They may be accommodated in the August 2020 career service exam schedule after due notice to the CSC regional office where they filed their applications,” CSC explained.
Last Monday, DOH asked the public to refrain from attending events that draw large crowds, like concerts and gatherings, to avoid the possible spread of COVID-19.
According to CSC, there are at least 295,711 individuals who would take the pen and paper exams this March — 253,811 of whom will take the professional level while 41,900 to take the subprofessional level.
Most of the exam-takers are in the National Capital Region (52,180), followed by Calabarzon (33,881), Western Visayas (23,299), and Zamboanga Peninsula (20,194).
Prior to DOH’s advisory, several events in Pasay City have been either canceled or rescheduled.
There are only three confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines — one is already out of the country, one was cured, and another dead. All three are Chinese nationals from Wuhan, the capital of China’s Hubei province.
However, there are 441 patients under investigation (PUIs) for possible COVID-19 infection. This latest coronavirus strain which originated from Wuhan, has proven to be deadlier than the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
As of Thursday, there are over 60,000 individuals infected with the virus, while 1,363 have died.
READ: DOH: 441 monitored for coronavirus infection, so far
READ: Coronavirus death toll surges to 1,355 as China changes way it counts cases
The CSC also encourages exam participants to conduct safety measures prior to and on the day of the exam, like washing hands, using disinfectants, and wearing face masks.
“Examinees who wish to take the exam as scheduled on March 15 are advised to take self-protection measures prior to and on the day of the exam […] Precautionary measures will also be undertaken at the testing sites on the day of examinations,” CSC noted.