UP's Palma Hall to be used as isolation area for COVID-19 cases

One of the main buildings of the University of the Philippines Diliman will be used as an isolation area for suspected and probable coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, UP's College of Social Science and Philosophy (CSSP) announced Friday.

In a Facebook post, the CSSP said that the lobby and classrooms on the first floor of the Palma Hall will accommodate  COVID-19 patients. Classrooms on the second and third floor, meanwhile, are still being considered to be used too.

The designated areas are already being prepared, according to the CSSP.

"Palma Hall has always been at the center of the University’s social engagement and this continues to the present," the CSSP said.

"As we are not returning to our physical classes for the rest of the semester and the midyear, this will not constitute a risk to our students, faculty, and staff members," it added. 

The UP COVID-19 team said it followed all proper health protocols for the safety of its personnel, having also requested personal protective equipment for its security guards.

According to the CSSP, only custodial volunteer workers will be in the area and will be receiving hazard pay.

The CSSP assured that sanitation and disinfection measures will also be observed at the Palma Hall. -MDM, GMA News