Blessed be God forever!
We are all aware of the current health concerns not only in our country, but in the whole world, because of the Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease (2019-nCoV ARD). The Department of Education (DepEd) has already issued a memorandum on the conduct of schools in handling this situation.
One of the concerns is the action to be taken for those who have travelled or will be travelling in and out of the country. Travelling and off-campus activities are actually discouraged but it seems actually impossible to stop. To address this issue, the said memorandum states that there is “a mandatory fourteen (14) day quarantine for Filipinos and Permanent Resident Visa holders coming from any place in China and its Special Administrative Region.” China’s special administrative region includes Hong Kong and Macau. We are compelled to abide by this provision primarily as a precautionary measure and not to be misconstrued as an overreaction to the situation.
Those who have travelled or will be travelling to other countries and within our country are not obligated to have a fourteen day quarantine but are required to undergo medical examinations and submit a certification clearing them of respiratory infections upon return to school. The school clinic has also volunteered to provide medical clearances to those who wish to have their medical examination in school. The use of the prescribed face mask is limited to clinic personnel and those exhibiting respiratory infections. Other safety measures are also being promoted through discussions and posting of reminders around the school campus.
The school is taking necessary measures to prevent the further spread of this virus and this would be possible and much easier with everyone’s cooperation.
We pray for the protection of everyone.
Sister Caroline S. Capili, OP
