THE DEPARTMENT of Education admitted that it is possible for teachers and students to acquire Covid19, however, it reiterated that its goal is to prevent case surges in schools.

“In a gathering of people, especially in a classroom setting, it is expected that there will be a positive case, but we want to prevent having a major surge that will exhaust the critical care system here in the Philippines,” Michael Poa, DepEd spokesperson, said.

This, the DepEd will require the wearing of face masks since students spend most of their time in classrooms, Poa said.

Poa said that the department is verifying the exact number of students, teachers and non-teaching staff who contracted the virus.

The DepEd is drafting Covid19 protocols to be followed in schools that will incorporate Executive Order 3 which permits the use of masks voluntarily in outdoor settings.

“We will coordinate and consult with the DOH since there are times that our learners are in open spaces, and we will incorporate them in our health guidelines which we will issue very soon,” Poa said, referring to the Department of Health.