Expanded in-person classes eyed when COVID cases decline in W. Visayas
BACOLOD CITY — The Department of Education (DepEd) is ready to begin its expanded in-person classes in Western Visayas, including Negros Occidental, as soon as the COVID-19 alert levels are lowered.
“We are just waiting for Alert Level 1,” said Pedro Escobarte Jr., DepEd assistant regional director.
Negros Occidental is currently under Alert Level 2 and could be downgraded to Alert Level 1 in March if its COVID-19 cases continue to drop.
The DepEd earlier announced that 80 schools in Western Visayas, 60 of which are in Negros Occidental, have been recommended for the expanded limited in-person classes.
Escobarte said they want to make sure the schools are safe for the teachers and learners when the classes start.
Article continues after this advertisementClose to 100 percent of the teachers in Western Visayas have already been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Article continues after this advertisementNegros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the return to in-person classes is a work in progress to bring about normalcy.
“We will allow face-to-face classes,” Lacson said.
RELATED STORY:
80 Western Visayas schools eyed for expanded limited face-to-face classes when COVID-19 eases
JPV
For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.