Chinese-Filipino schools cancel classes as precautionary measure vs. coronavirus

Some Chinese-Filipino schools opted not to hold classes on Monday as a precautionary measure to prevent any possible transmission of novel coronavirus, taking into consideration the recent celebration of the Chinese New Year which increased risk of exposure to the pathogen.

Tiong Se Academy in Binondo was among the schools that required their students and staff to undergo a two-week quarantine if they or their relatives just came back from China and Hong Kong for the Spring Festival.

"You are required to quarantine yourselves for two weeks or get clearance from your doctor before you are allowed to come back to school," it said in an advisory.

Uno High School in Tondo also implemented the same and assured that the quarantine time will not bear any negative effect on the students' grades or class standing.

"These absences from class will be excused. During this time of self-quarantine, please stay home and do not attend tutorials or go to other places," it said in an announcement.

The students, teachers, and staff who traveled abroad will also be required to submit photocopies of their passport showing details of their date of departure, date of arrival, and destinations.

"Those who went to local destinations mentioned [i.e. Boracay, Aklan] must be honest enough to report their trips," it added.

Those who are immunocompromised, as well as those exhibiting flu-like symptoms even without travel history to China were advised to stay home.

"We are issuing these directives not to sow panic but to create awareness and to ask for everyone’s cooperation," it said.

Chiang Kai Shek College also suspended its classes in all levels at both Padre Algue and Narra campuses on Monday.

The teaching and non-teaching personnel were, however, required to report to work to help in strategizing proper response to the threat of novel coronavirus.

Some schools said it will require students and staff to wear face masks and bring alcohol once classes resume.

Click this link for complete list of schools without classes on January 27, 2020.

The novel coronavirus was first detected in Wuhan City, China last December. It has already reached Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Nepal, Singapore, Australia, France, and the United States, according to the World Health Organization. As of Monday, the death toll has reached 80.

In the Philippines, there were no confirmed cases of novel coronavirus yet as of posting time.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, however, said that 11 persons in the country are under investigation for possible 2019-nCoV infection. —Dona Magsino/KG, GMA News