UP Los Baños opts for online classes amid COVID-19 scare

The University of the Philippines Los Baños and the UP Rural High School will shift to online classes amid the rise of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections in the country.

On Facebook, the university announced that the online classes for the students will begin on March 16, Monday.

This was based on a memorandum issued by UPLB Chancellor Dr. Fernando Sanchez, Jr. on Friday.

"All Colleges and faculty members are advised to... revise their course syllabi and class requirements as necessary from 13 to 20 March to ensure the smooth transition and conduct of classes online," the memo read.

[#UPLB] UPLB including @uprhstr will be shifting to online classes starting March 16, 2020. pic.twitter.com/AVeCXv8XN9

— UP Los Baños (@UPLBOfficial) March 13, 2020

All colleges and faculty members were also required to review and discuss course requirements, alternatives to out-of-classroom requirements, and lab activities.

"Faculty members are advised to regularly update their students through available communication channels regarding the online-based class arrangements and requirements," the memo said.

Earlier, the UP system's flagship campus in Diliman announced its plan to adopt online classes, which are also scheduled to begin on Monday.

The World Health Organization recently declared the COVID-19 as a pandemic.

At present, the Philippines has 52 confirmed COVID-19 cases with five deaths. —Angelica Y. Yang/MGP, GMA News