THE COMMISSION on Higher Education said that the conduct of limited physical classes for all degree programs will be done in phases.

CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III said that Phase 1 will begin in December in all regions under Alert Level 2, while Phase 2 will start in January 2022 in all regions under Alert Level 3.

Under Alert Level 1, CHED will permit full indoor and outdoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals.

In areas under Alert Level 2, only 50 percent indoor capacity for fully vaccinated individuals and those below 18 years old (regardless of vaccination status), and 70 percent outdoor capacity will be allowed.

Under Alert Level 3, a maximum of 30 percent indoor venue capacity and 50 percent outdoor capacity will be allowed for fully vaccinated individuals.

De Vera stressed that the holding of in-person classes will hinge on three requirements— high vaccination rate among students and employees, approval of the local government units and retrofitting of school facilities.

He added that LGUs must also meet their vaccination targets as businesses around campuses will also reopen once students return to schools.

“These are businesses where the students will eat and congregate. And if the businesses have higher risk levels, meaning the LGUs have not addressed concerns about vaccination. We might create a situation that is very dangerous for the students,” the CHED chief said.

He added that higher education institutions may implement a 4-17 or 4-10 cyclical student shifting model.

“Under the 4-17 cycle model, students will attend 4 consecutive days of face to face classes on campus, and 17 days for flexible learning; while the 4-10 cycle method would require the same number of days on campus, but 10 days for flexible learning,” De Vera explained.

“Contact and non-contact sports for PE classes shall be allowed in areas under Covid19 Alert Level 2. Those in Alert Level 3 are only allowed to conduct non-contact sports activities for their PE classes,” he said.

“Off-campus activities, and extra-curricular activities such as sports, musical events, competitions, in-person graduation rites, and ceremonies may be allowed subject to the approval of concerned LGU and conditions under IATF resolutions,” De Vera added.