Duterte cancels pilot implementation of face-to-face classes due to new COVID-19 strain

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte announced Saturday that he was recalling his approval of the education sector’s proposal to conduct the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes due to the threat of the new COVID-19 strain believed to be more infectious.

“I have allowed Kasi face-to-face classes as a pilot project throughout the country. With the new strain, whether it is true or not, it may be true because it is being validated by Germany, South Africa and the UK. with cabinet officials and infectious disease experts.

“I will not allow face-to-face classes for children until we are done with this,” he added.

The pilot deployment was supposed to take place in areas considered low risk for coronavirus infection from January 11 to 23.

Classes resumed across the country on October 5, and schools used distance learning, a combination of modular and online learning, as campuses remain closed and physical classes remain suspended due to the COVID pandemic. -19.

The new strain of coronavirus was first detected in the UK.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently announced stricter restrictions in his country after experts found a more infectious strain of coronavirus, which, he said, “perhaps up to 70 percent more transmissible than the previous strain.”

Almost immediately, several countries imposed a travel ban on the UK, including Canada, Italy, Turkey, Switzerland and Germany to prevent entry of the new strain. The new strain has reportedly entered Singapore as well.

The Philippines also suspended flights from the United Kingdom from December 24 to December 31.

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