THE COMMISSION on Higher Education has allowed the conduct of limited face-to-face classes in all degree programs in Metro Manila and areas under Alert Level 2.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases placed Metro Manila under Alert Level 2 from November 5 to 21.

“In the IATF, we discussed the other day that in places that are already under category 2, we will allow now limited face-to-face up to 50 percent capacity in all degree programs in these areas,” CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera III said in a news briefing in Palawan State University.

Before allowing in-person classes, De Vera noted that at least three conditions should be met — high vaccination rate among students and faculty, approval of the local government units, and retrofitting of school facilities.

“In schools like that, we will have the second order of limited face-to-face which is to allow it in all degree programs so that there will be an incentive to get vaccinated,” he pointed out.

“That is the direction that we are taking and hopefully by the second semester or January or February, we can do this already,” he added.

Earlier, the CHED chief said that the commission and the Inter-Agency Task Force are drafting the guidelines for the gradual reopening of schools in areas with low Covid19 risk and high vaccination rates.

De Vera noted that the guidelines may be finalized by November or December.