COLLEGES and universities should ensure that students participating in limited face-to-face classes are covered by health insurance, Malacañang said on Friday.

Acting Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Kristian Ablan said that Resolution 164 issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases requires medical insurance coverage for students returning to in-person classes.

“HEIs (higher education institutions) shall ensure that students who will participate in the conduct of limited face-to-face classes are registered with PhilHealth or with equivalent medical insurance which covers medical expenses related to Covid-19 , as either direct or indirect contributor,” the resolution read.

Students above 21 years old may enroll in PhilHealth as indigent members on the basis that they have no visible means of income. Those below 21 may be classified as dependents of their parents or legal guardians.

“In case of a violation of this provision and it is shown that a student gets infected by Covid19 brought about by his or her participation in the limited face-to-face classes, the HEI shall facilitate the necessary medical treatment/procedures for the affected student/s,” the resolution read.