THE CITY government of Dagupan in Pangasinan deferred the opening of classes today, September 13, as Covid19 cases continue to rise.

In an executive order dated September 11, Dagupan Mayor Marc Brian Lim said that the start of classes for basic education in all public schools will be moved to October 4.

“The opening of classes in the city of Dagupan on September 13, 2021 is hereby suspended, including all school activities which will require face-to-face interaction and or/mass gathering such as releasing of self-learning modules, and which qualifies as health risk,” Lim said.

The mayor said school activities not requiring physical presence can proceed.

“The EO shall not cover the operation of schools previously permitted to open and which had already started, or with ongoing classes through cloud and video conferences and other remote platforms which do not require face-to-face interaction,” he said.

“Schools, colleges, and universities allowed to conduct face-to-face classes, internship, and in-campus laboratory for hospital practicum, only for medical and health allied programs consistent with the joint memorandum circular of the Department of Health and the Commission on Higher Education, are also exempted from the coverage of the EO,” he added.

Lim said the Dagupan City Public School Teachers and Employees Association Inc. asked him to postpone the start of classes for fear that teachers and personnel might be exposed to the virus.

“The opening of classes requires the reporting for work of teachers and personnel to distribute, and the parents trooping to the schools to receive the self-learning modules for the pupils, and thus lead not only to face-to-face interaction but also to mass gathering, which should be restricted as part of stringent health measures against the spread of the virus,” he said.

As of September 11,  the province has 3,544 Covid19 cases, 875 of which are active.